In early 1995, Western State College selected Viron to conduct an energy analysis of the campus. In response, Viron submitted a report detailing costs, savings and scope of work to upgrade Western State's heating and lighting systems.

For decades, the college's heat and hot water were supplied from one of three powerful steam boilers housed in a heating plant. Steam was piped to most buildings on campus via 51-year-old underground transmission lines. With heating costs approaching $500,000 annually, losing heat during transmission was commonplace. The heating project includes replacing the aging central heating system with many small gas-fired boilers placed throughout the campus, as well as installing new gas piping where required.

The heating project was divided into two phases. Last summer, boilers were placed in academic halls and the gymnasium. A new round of renovation includes heating dormitories, apartments and the student union.

Total guaranteed gas savings with the new boilers is 772,576 cubic feet of natural gas (CCF) annually, of $210,141.

All new hot water or steam heating systems include valves, chemical pot feeders, air separators, expansion tanks, pumps and air ducts as well as ventilation fans. The existing steam heating system will remain in operation until the new systems are fully installed.

Viron also recommended upgrading Western State's lighting system by standardizing lamp and ballast throughout the campus, eliminating undesired lamps, and reducing maintenance costs due to extensive lamp and ballast replacements. This upgrade includes converting all fluorescent lamps to T-8 lamps with electronic ballast. Electronic ballasts can operate up to four T-8 lamps which reduces ballast counts by 20 to 25 percent. Total energy savings from lighting retrofits is 2,024,187 kW/hour annually, or $70,847.

As part of the lighting system upgrade, Viron also proposes installing motion sensors in nearly every classroom. Photocell sensors will be used to turn lights off automatically where ambient light is adequate, slashing electric costs even more.

Other project savings include nearly $3,000 due to expanding the existing energy management system (EMS) and more than $8,500 from material savings due to lighting maintenance.