Programs

ECO Program

The Energy Conservation & Outreach Program

The Energy Conservation & Outreach (ECO) Program is a five-year effort that began its first year of implementation in FY (fiscal year) 2004. The ECO program focuses on general fund buildings with the expectation that an additional $1million/year in energy cost savings could be attained by building upon the success of the Energy Star Program (completed in FY 2003).

ECO is a second cycle of the five-step Energy Star Program (recommissioning, lighting, supplemental load reduction, fan system upgrades, and HVAC upgrades). It utilizes a more comprehensive payback for funding energy conservation measures (up to eight years for energy conservation measures with an expected service life of 20 years or more). Furthermore, ECO seeks to expand the palette of accepted energy conservation measures (ECMs) by initiating feasibility studies (i.e. pilot projects) for the testing and evaluation of new ECM's. It also seeks to improve the communication avenues between building managers and Building Automation Systems to achieve responsive seasonal scheduling of building mechanical systems. And a greater emphasis has been placed on implementing water conservation measures.

In addition, the ECO program promotes a campus-wide conservation and outreach effort aimed at creating a culture of energy conservation among the University community.

If you would like to read the complete ECOI proposal document, please email us at energyconservation@umich.edu and we'll be glad to send you a copy.