Case Studies

Trane is collaborating with colleges and universities to support the very mission of higher education. Trane has ways to improve campus sustainability and reduce operating costs, while improving the indoor air quality that contributes to effective learning environments and comfortable on-campus living.

Trane considers the objectives for individual buildings, while looking at campus energy use from a holistic point of view.

Read our case studies to see how Trane is supporting our higher education customers.

Texas State Technical College

With aging infrastructure and mechanical systems, humidity control was becoming an issue in many classrooms at Texas State Technical College. A continued cycle of deferring maintenance and system upgrades led to inferior system performance and inefficient energy use. In addition, expansion plans in process would require increased mechanical capacity to accommodate the school’s growth. With a strong commitment to providing exceptional value for its students, TSTC wished to upgrade its systems, keeping the campus functional while construction was in progress and creating as little disruption as possible to daily operations.

Gateway college

Like many technical education schools, the HVAC equipment in the training labs at Gateway Technical College was outdated, with many of the pieces more than twenty years old, often donated by area residents after upgrading their homes or businesses. At the same time, the college recognized their infrastructure was aging, with mechanical systems nearing the end of their useful life. In keeping with its mission, the college wished to advance its commitment to sustainability by utilizing energy-efficient systems, while preparing students to become valued workers in the community.

For Edmonds Community College (EdCC), it was like the perfect storm. The college had lost 30 percent of its funding due to state budget cuts, utility costs were continuing to increase and its aging systems were in need of upgrade, as exemplified by a recent boiler failure. At the same time, the community college adopted a new bottom-up sustainability initiative supported by its students and staff. EdCC joined other colleges and universities in committing to the elimination of net greenhouse gas emissions by becoming a signatory of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Signatory institutions agree to complete an emissions inventory, set a target date for becoming climate neutral, take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability into its educational experience. The college believes that exerting leadership in sustainability is an integral part of its mission and that doing so will reduce its long-term energy costs, attract excellent students and faculty, help obtain new sources of funding, and increase the support of alumni and local communities. The community college sought to upgrade systems and improve comfort levels of its twenty-two building campus, while staying true to its sustainability commitments, energy efficiency goals and budgetary requirement.

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