Making Students and Buildings
Safe, Secure, and Energy Efficient.
With over 700,000 square feet across more than a dozen facilities, maintaining consistent temperatures and controlling energy use was a challenge. For Rockhurst University, that challenge became an opportunity to implement smart technology and meet long-term operational goals.
After placing energy meters in each building and reviewing comfort complaints from students, faculty, and staff, the facilities team saw the need for change. They partnered with Control Service Company to replace analog controls with Automated Logic’s digital system. This allowed the university to easily integrate with other protocols and maintain occupant comfort efficiently.
Initiation
The science center posed the biggest issue. This large facility houses lecture rooms, labs, and offices across multiple departments. Once CSC joined the project, its team discovered blown fuses, faulty reheat coils, excessive humidity, and outdated constant-volume air handling. These problems made the science center more expensive to operate than any other campus building.
CSC replaced or repaired defective parts and designed a solution using WebCTRL’s BACnet to interface with Tekaire lab fume hoods. They also installed occupancy sensors to manage lighting and temperature setbacks. As a result, Rockhurst began saving $4,000 monthly on energy and saw a dramatic drop in occupant complaints.
Implementation
Following that success, the partnership between Rockhurst and CSC continued to grow with additional projects. Some buildings now operate fully on digital controls, others are partially updated, and several remain scheduled for future upgrades on a rolling three-year plan.
Over the past three years, the university reduced utility costs from $2.25 to $1.70 per square foot. They also cut kilowatt-hour usage by 15%, surpassing performance benchmarks for similar institutions.
To keep systems running smoothly, CSC conducts regular technology reviews and resolves programming issues. Together, they’ve also started integrating lighting upgrades in facilities like residence halls. These enhancements continue to improve comfort while maximizing energy savings for the entire campus.
