University of Kentucky Sees Positive Results from Energy Efficiency Program

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/18/25

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced the results of its Energy Program in Facilities Management, put into place eight years ago, according to a news release. Between the fiscal years of 2017 and 2025, the university’s campus grew by 13.6% while the energy use per square foot dropped by 19.2%. The difference has saved the university a cumulative $85.5 million in energy costs, including $52.9 million for education & general operations.

“The success of the Energy Program reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and operational excellence,” said Mary Vosevich, vice president for Facilities Management and chief facilities officer. “The Energy Program has empowered us to approach energy management strategically by reducing consumption, boosting efficiency and making smart reinvestments that benefit the entire UK community. We’re proud of the progress and excited to build on it.”

The Energy Program’s financial outcomes include an investment of $10.8 million in utility infrastructure improvement projects over $100,000; $8.2 million in fund balances back to the university; $15.4 million covered in un- or underfunded new square footage; and a strengthened budget against rising costs of labor, chemicals, and utilities, the news release reports.

According to the university website, the program began in 2016 as a partnership with energy conservation and sustainability company Cenergistic. The program’s ultimate goal is to reduce campus energy consumption by 20%.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • a traditional red brick school building with the right side visibly deteriorated and the left side well-maintained, surrounded by neat landscaping

    Making the Grade: Navigating Funding Uncertainty in K-12 Schools

    School districts across the country must prepare for all possible funding scenarios by analyzing school asset and infrastructure conditions, understanding their funding needs, and developing a proactive maintenance strategy to stretch their funding dollars.

  • PNSI Global Alliance Launches New Quality Assurance Certification

    PNSI Global Alliance, a network of technology integrators and service providers, recently introduced a new Quality Assurance Certification (QAC) for AV service and support, according to a press release. The two-day, interactive workshop QAC course is designed for Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to provide them with the most up-to-date and advanced quality assurance knowledge available.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.

  • California District Starts Construction on New Robotics Facility

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) near Silicon Valley, Calif., recently announced that construction has begun on a new Robotics Facility on the campus of Cupertino High School, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility will serve students at high schools across the entire district, providing purpose-built spaces for student creativity and collaboration.

Digital Edition