Illinois Central College Energy Audit

A Conversation with David Mauck, P.E., LEED® AP
David Mauck, Senior Vice President

Tell us about the Illinois Central College (ICC) Energy Audit.

Our client needed a master plan for energy reduction which not only identified possible energy saving measures but also prioritized them in terms of implementation costs and payback. Because of the pressing needs to start the plan during the next fiscal year, we provided a rapid, yet thorough assessment of the prime elements of ICC’s energy costs, looking at lighting, building envelope, how they generate heating and cooling, even the energy rate structure. We spent a great deal of time in the facilities, becoming familiar with the systems and their condition, talked with building operating engineers, and the administration. We presented the final report to the ICC Green Committee.

Why did ICC want a Building Energy Audit performed?

In economic times like these, both our private and public clients look very closely at ways to reduce operating costs. This effort also includes energy costs, which can be very significant. Since the skillsets necessary to perform an energy audit are not usually found in-house, our clients look to us as their experienced engineering partner, working shoulder-to-shoulder to improve their facilities. It’s as simple as this; the cost of operating an inefficient building can represent the difference between hiring that potential researcher or not, buying more productivity or limping along with what you have, or even the difference between making a profit and going out of business.

What did the report include?

We provided a complete narrative which included our opinion on the condition of major components such as lighting systems, boilers, chillers, and air-handling units. We analyzed and summarized the utility rate structure for ICC, described possible energy conservation measures (ECM) estimated the construction cost for each ECM, and through energy modeling, quantified the impact of each measure. Our independent viewpoint and analysis allows the client to make informed decisions on facility and systems upgrades.

An interesting side note; at the request of the client, we also reviewed building occupancy scheduling, performed boiler efficiency tests, indoor air quality tests, and completed a building envelope study.

What sets the report apart from the competition?

We pride ourselves on making our report readable and understandable. Many times engineers write reports that can only be understood by other engineers. We want our clients to know exactly what we’re thinking. We spend time looking at our presentations and deliverables from our clients’ perspective, making the finished product useable both now and years from now. That’s why ICC considers our report their Energy Master Plan.

What are the next steps?

Many energy providers now have programs that provide funding for energy initiatives. We’ll identify possible grant programs that can help defray the costs of implementation of the energy saving measures and assist ICC in preparing the applications. In terms of payback, these incentives can really “sweeten the pot.”

What if my building is relatively new?

We can provide building commissioning coupled with energy modeling right now. This gives you peace of mind, knowing your facility is well-tuned and is running as well as it can. The energy model also provides a benchmark so you’ll identify problems quickly and fix them before performance starts to deteriorate. You’ll save money.

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

John R. Farnsworth, P.E.

Chief Operating Officer

John Farnsworth is a highly accomplished executive business leader with more than 37 years of experience. He has an extensive history of directing company operations, designing innovative strategies for improvement, and cultivating a collaborative work environment.

As Chief Operating Officer, John provides leadership, oversight, evaluation, and direction for the operational performance of Henneman’s ten office locations. He provides guidance and support to our leaders to ensure the firm’s policies, processes, and standards are communicated and practiced.

A native of Normal, Illinois, John is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

John has held executive-level positions with professional services design and consulting firms, including eight years as President and CEO of Farnsworth Group in Bloomington, Illinois, growing the firm from 65 to 325 professionals during that period.  He is a current member of the Board of Directors and Past Chair of the American Red Cross of the Heartland, and a recipient of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers 2000 Professional Engineering Management Award.

John is married with two daughters.

Henneman Engineering Announces New Indiana Presence

Henneman Engineering announces the launch of a new presence in Indiana with the opening of our Indianapolis office. This new office represents a continuing commitment to provide our existing Indiana clients with local access to the resources and expertise of an established engineering firm. From this office, we will focus on strengthening our existing relationships, along with building and widening our client base within the state.

Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer Paul Boland, P.E., will be the point of contact for our efforts in this area. Paul joined Henneman in 1992, and has more than 28 years of engineering experience in building systems projects for both new construction and renovation. His specialties include utilities, power plants, boiler design, process layouts, and piping design. Paul manages mechanical and electrical engineering projects with an eye for quality, scheduling, and client satisfaction, and he has an excellent engineering team standing by him.

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