Sustainability at OSU

There are several ways OSU energy and water use is analyzed. Historically, outside consultants had been the primary mechanism by which analysis was accomplished. With the creation of the OSU Sustainability Office, and the increased campus focus of the OSU Energy|Efficiency Center, responsibilities and work process have changed somewhat.

Campus Night Audits

The Sustainability Office has begun looking more closely at off hours energy use in campus buildings.  Joined by students from various courses, the Office performs unannounced night audits several times each term.  During a night audit, buildings are thoroughly examined during predominantly unoccupied times for instances of potential energy waste. 

These audits measure losses from unnecessarily active electrical equipment like lighting, computers and peripherals, copiers, printers, and chargers, as well as thermal losses like open windows.  Losses are totaled and potential savings are estimated and will be made available to the public.  Data gathered during the audits can be used to assess the impact of conservation efforts, justify additional conservation projects, as well as report potentially unsafe conditions (low light levels, fire hazards, etc.).  A summary of night audit results is presented in the table below.