Community Colleges of Spokane

Community Colleges of Spokane - Colville, serving over 30,000 students annually in Eastern Washington, has long been committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Challenges

In 2022, the college was facing significant challenges with its main building, which was falling short of Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The classrooms were conditioned by deteriorating hot water unit ventilators and window AC units, which led to increased energy costs and poor indoor air quality.

Solutions

In response to these challenges, the college partnered with Millig Design Build to implement innovative energy solutions and ensure compliance with state standards. Millig took a comprehensive approach, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to improve the college's energy efficiency and prepare the building for full electrification in the future. The major components of the solution included:

• High-Efficiency VRF Heat Pumps: The outdated hot water unit ventilators and window AC units were replaced with high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pumps. This step greatly improved energy efficiency while ensuring a comfortable learning and working environment for students and staff.

• Condensing Boilers with Flex-Fuel Capabilities: Millig installed condensing boilers with flex-fuel capabilities to provide heating for large spaces. These boilers also serve as a backup heating system, ensuring uninterrupted comfort during the colder months.

• DOAS with Heat Recovery: The team integrated dedicated outdoor air units (DOAS) with heat recovery functionality. This addition improved ventilation, provided energy-efficient ventilation, and improved indoor air quality.

• Advanced Control Strategies: Millig also implemented advanced control strategies to provide campus maintenance staff with 24/7 access and virtual troubleshooting capabilities. This strategy ensures seamless operations and prompt identification and rectification of potential issues, thereby minimizing downtime.

The Outcome

The Millig Design Build team effectively addressed the college's energy and comfort issues, significantly improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality. By replacing outdated systems with advanced technology and introducing effective control strategies, Millig has positioned the college to meet Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The work has also prepared the campus for full electrification, underscoring the college's commitment to sustainability and providing a more conducive environment for learning and teaching.