An energy specialist recommends energy savings projects to the rest of the team, who then audit each building on that list to determine which project should take priority. During the audit process, the team considers the following factors:

• A building’s current energy use
• What types of energy savings projects could be implemented, the anticipated energy savings, and how short or long the payback period is (how long it will take to recover the financial investment, in the form of energy savings, from these projects)
• The financial cost, proposed duration, and overall viability of the proposed project

If your building was selected for an energy project, that means that the anticipated energy savings are worth the overall cost of the project.

While this energy initiative will eventually reach all campus buildings, the VCAS Energy Management team is applying a methodical approach to energy efficiency by prioritizing buildings based on the factors mentioned above and working on buildings in that order. The buildings up first were selected because they waste a high amount of energy, and the projects needed to correct the issues are relatively straightforward.

If your building hasn’t been identified for a project, that does not mean it isn’t eligible, or that there’s nothing that can be done to save energy in your building. It simply means your building—and the projects it could benefit from—have not been identified yet.

It depends. Each building is different, and therefore will require different projects to maximize energy efficiency. If your building hasn’t yet been identified as an energy savings project location, don’t worry; you will be notified about what will take place and when. If your building is currently undergoing an energy savings project, or is about to start, be sure to check your email for updates. If you prefer to reach out directly, you can always submit an inquiry via this website’s contact form.

• Ask a question

It depends. As an individual, you may only notice workers in your office space for a few days or weeks. On the building-wide scale, energy efficiency projects may go on for several months.

Depending on the complexity of the project, as well as any hiccups that may occur along the way (remember, our utilities and facilities teams are the ones who respond to flooding, power outages, and other emergencies at the drop of a hat), the estimated duration might also change slightly. Rest assured that once your building’s project is in motion, you’ll be updated about these events.

• Learn more about your building's energy savings project

While each project is different and the project engineers will make every reasonable effort to minimize disruptions, you might experience brief periods of mild noise, temperature changes, or higher-than-normal dust levels. If this temporary disturbance is reducing your productivity, please notify your supervisor and use our suggestions form to submit a complaint (we’ll get back to you within 48 hours), and we will address the problem. If it is immediately uncomfortable, please reach out to the project manager assigned to your building’s energy savings project.

• Express a concern
• Learn about Environmental Health and Safety Standards

The ultimate goal of strategic energy management, as outlined in the Climate Action Implementation Plan, is to achieve a 25% reduction in campus energy consumption by 2030. In the initial stage of this program, the VCAS Energy Management team will tackle projects that will show a return on investment relatively early on, within three years or less. As the team moves on to the more complex projects, the effects may take longer to see, but the payback in financial and energy savings will be more impactful in the long run.

As buildings are selected for projects, individual project pages will become available with more information.

• Learn more about UIC's Climate Action Implementation Plan
• View UIC's current energy savings projects

Not at all. While “saving energy” does imply using less energy, we can’t just shut off power and temperature controls whenever we feel like it—especially considering UIC is home to world class labs and classrooms, the state’s major public hospital, cutting-edge research initiatives, 11,000 employees, and 31,000 students.

Instead, our goal with temperature controls is to strike the balance between energy efficiency and employee/student comfort during the workday. This temperature range has been determined by our energy specialist and other industry standards, and has been outlined in UIC’s Energy Policy.

There are lots of ways that energy savings can be achieved besides temperature control, too. Many buildings are inefficient in other ways, such as when lights stay on overnight, or when air conditioning runs throughout the weekend. In fact, most of the energy savings projects will tackle issues like these. So, you shouldn’t ever need to wear a winter coat in the office.**

**If you currently have to bundle up for the workday, or if your office is uncomfortably warm, something is wrong! Submit a request through Facilities Management).

• Submit a maintenance request

Potentially! Some of the energy savings projects will involve updating or replacing heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment and systems (HVAC) and electronic controls, which may likely resolve any temperature inconsistencies in your office. However, because each energy project is different, this will be determined on a per-building basis.

If your office space feels uncomfortably warm or cold, it is likely that the temperature is outside the optimal range dictated in UIC’s Energy Policy. Please submit a request to Facilities Management if you’d like your office space temperature examined.

• Submit a maintenance request

If you’d like to reach out to the VCAS Energy Management team, please use the suggestions form on this website. We welcome feedback from the UIC community, and while the team won’t be able to make changes overnight, we’ll always keep your comments in mind as we move forward.

• Share your thoughts using our suggestion form

The VCAS Energy Management team includes decision makers from across VCAS, from units including Utilities and Energy Services, Facilities Management, Capital Planning and Project Management, and the Office of Sustainability.

While different subgroups carry out different facets of this program, the team below plans and executes the energy savings projects that take place in campus buildings:

• Brad Simmons, Deputy Director of Utilities, Utilities and Energy Services
• Kevin Casserly, Chief Plant Operating Engineer, Utilities and Energy Services
• Anthony Civito, Chief Plant Operating Engineer, Heat Light and Power
• Andrew Barrett, Chief Plant Operating Engineer, Heat Light and Power
• Stephen Stroud, Energy Specialist, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

This group, specifically referred to as the Strategic Energy Management team (SEM), works closely with a representative from Hawkeye Energy and uses energy data to recommend energy savings measures for each building to the team.

The SEM team also receives auxiliary support from Paulina Nowak, an engineer in Utilities and Energy Services, and Emily Stearney, a publicity promotions specialist in the Office of Planning, Sustainability, and Project Management.

• Utilities and Energy Services website
• Facilities Management website
• Sustainability at UIC website
• Office of Planning, Sustainability, and Project Management website
• Get in touch with the VCAS Energy Management team