Summary
Ave Maria University, a private Catholic university serving approximately 1,500 students, selected Ameresco to develop building controls strategies to update buildings, increase occupant comfort, and create more operational control. The project also included upgrading exterior lighting to increase safety for students and staff. Additionally, the University retained Ameresco to further streamline building operations and drive energy efficiency by integrating building controls into a centralized, web-based management platform.
“As our campus continues to grow, we knew we needed to invest in infrastructure that could keep pace—not just for today, but for the future. In doing so, we’re living out our responsibility as an authentically Catholic university: to steward our resources wisely, safeguard our students, and prepare a campus where future leaders and future saints can flourish.”
– Paul Husak
Chief Operating Officer, Ave Maria University
$200,000
Estimated Annual Savings
324,000 Sq Ft
Facility Size
1,210,000 kWh
Estimated Annual Energy Generation
~$7,100,000
Project Size
Customer Benefits
This integrated project helped the University drive energy efficiency across its campus buildings while enhancing operational control to serve both current and future needs. The project was also designed to provide the following benefits:
- Annual energy savings of approximately $200,000
- Improved air quality and occupant comfort
- Increased visibility and safety on campus
- Expansion of central utility plant to accommodate future growth
Solution
With a campus spanning approximately 500,000 square feet, Ave Maria University aimed to modernize its existing facilities while preparing for future expansion. To support these goals, the University partnered with Ameresco to develop building control strategies that enhance energy efficiency and ensure scalability for growth. Solutions implemented included:
- Building Automation System upgrades across four buildings
- Exterior lighting infrastructure upgrades
- Increased central utility plant capacity
- O&M Service Agreement & reporting
