Washington and Lee to Begin Updates to the Campus Utility Infrastructure

By Brian Laubscher
January 10, 2025

Washington and Lee University will begin making necessary updates to its campus utility infrastructure in support of the university's Campus Master Plan and to achieve the sustainability goals of its Climate Action Plan.

These comprehensive plans set the framework for transforming W&L's campus into a carbon-neutral environment by 2050. One of the most significant steps toward achieving this goal involves the replacement of the campus's current natural gas heating infrastructure.

Several updates to the campus heating infrastructure have taken place over the years as W&L has transitioned from coal to heating fuel to natural gas. Despite the consistent upgrades, several key pieces of the current infrastructure pre-date World War II and must be replaced.

"The heating infrastructure on our campus still utilizes steam mains that were installed around 1938," said Brendan Perry, facilities engineer and energy manager at W&L.

In considering the necessary updates and being mindful of W&L's commitment to carbon neutrality, a majority of the infrastructure project involves a conversion to low-temperature hot water (LTHW) as the primary heating resource for the university.

"By transitioning to LTHW, we should see better energy efficiency - less natural gas use and a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions right away," said Jane Stewart, director of sustainability. "Even more exciting, the change will ultimately allow us to switch to a renewable heat source and eliminate fossil fuels from our main campus operations altogether. W&L has reduced campus greenhouse gas emissions from energy by 50% since 2007, and the generation from our offsite solar array brings that number to more than 70%. This LTHW project provides a real path away from on-campus fossil fuel combustion, meeting our campus infrastructure needs while also putting energy neutrality within reach and ahead of schedule."

LTHW works by circulating water heated between the temperatures of 104 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit through a network of pipes within each building. This heat is achieved by using a heat recovery chiller, which serves as an HVAC system that can simultaneously provide both heating and cooling to a building by capturing waste heat generated during the cooling process and using it to produce LTHW for space heating, domestic hot water or other applications. This "recycling" of heat that would otherwise be wasted will help reduce the university's natural gas usage.

The project has the benefit of reducing both the university's carbon footprint and the utility bill through the reduced use of natural gas and alternative energy sources to heat the water. Over time, the project essentially pays for itself in cost savings.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to reimagine how we manage the heating and cooling infrastructure of the university," said Steve McAllister, vice president for finance and treasurer. "We have an obligation to be good stewards from a fiduciary and environmental standpoint. It is fortunate that this project does not force us to pursue one over the other, allowing us to make gains toward both of these objectives."

The conversion to LTHW requires a transition from existing steam pipes, which are too narrow to handle the water capacity, to new larger-diameter LTHW piping. As a result, new pipes will be laid next to the existing pipes servicing campus buildings. The work also entails connecting those buildings to the new LTHW pipe network.

The long-term project will be handled in phases, with the first phase commencing shortly after undergraduate graduation this May and its completion is expected by Summer 2026. The first phase involves the installation of LTHW piping along the Washington Street corridor. A second installation will run piping from the university's heating and cooling plant located off of East Denny Circle to Woods Creek Apartments and the Lindley Center for Student Wellness. The Washington Street installation will provide new pipes and the system integration into Gaines Residence Hall, the new Williams School, the Duchossois Athletics & Recreation Center, Elrod Commons, Graham-Lees Residence Hall and Holekamp Hall. A new heat recovery chiller that will service these buildings has already been installed as part of the Williams School construction project.

Later phases in this project call for a new heat recovery chiller installation at the heating and cooling plant that will service the remainder of campus. The entire phased project will take up to 10 years to complete.

The work to lay the LTHW pipes will produce the greatest impact to daily campus operations. While the construction activity will generate some noise, the buildings will remain fully functional. Pedestrian traffic will be re-routed where necessary and Washington Street will experience minor delays and a reduction to a single vehicle lane for portions of time. In particular, construction may restrict access to portions of Cannan Green, the Elrod Commons tunnel and the sidewalk areas in front of Graham-Lees and Holekamp Hall. Fencing and signage will guide pedestrian traffic through the affected areas.

"We have tried to be as intentional and thoughtful as possible to help minimize the daily impact on campus," said Perry. "While our facilities will remain open during construction, community members will need to be mindful of the work as they traverse campus."

Additional information about the first phase of the infrastructure project will be shared in advance of the anticipated early summer start date and specific details regarding subsequent phases will be shared when available. For more information about this and many other ongoing capital projects, please visit University Facilities' capital project updates page.

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