Lighting

The Colorado Convention Center, in conjunction with the City and County of Denver, has joined a "Green Lights" program which essentially addresses electrical consumption savings through efficient lighting. To accomplish the savings, the use of existing building lighting was reviewed and studied. It was then determined that substantial savings could be made if all building lighting using 150 - 300 watt incandescent lighting was converted to 13 watt compact fluorescent.

In addition, all 74 watt T-12 fluorescent lighting was changed to 35 watt T-8, resulting in a substantial energy savings, considering this type of lighting is used in over half of the facility. Savings in energy use has also been accomplished through intelligent use of lighting control. All facility lighting is run by computer, using time clocks. If an area is not in use, it is not turned on.

When it is finished with use, lighting is turned off. This is accomplished through a dedicated electrician reading well-planned event schedules and incorporating individual as well as multiple events into a daily lighting program. The Center also uses two different lighting levels, one for set up/dismantle, with low light levels, and one for event hours requiring full facility lighting. This program, coupled with efficient lighting, provides for extensive energy savings, considering the size and use of the facility.

HVAC

Heating over two million square feet can be quite an accomplishment, considering there are hundreds of days with large freight doors wide open. The Center constantly monitors open load in/out coiling doors through facility walks as well as through facility security cameras and door control. If a coiling door is not in use, it can be closed by a local switch or from the security base station.

Another way the Center has lowered heating consumption is by discontinuing use of the original natural gas-fired boilers and getting onto a citywide steam tube and shell system. This system provides heat only when needed, and allows the Center to have lower preset temperatures when the facility does not need higher temperatures (such as when it’s occupied). There are separate systems for the heating loop from the kitchen domestic loop, resulting in further savings.

Cooling

In a move towards conservation, the City and County of Denver has combined with the local utility company to create a huge underground chilled water loop, capable of cooling many downtown facilities. Instead of running separate chillers, the Center now simply dials up cooling tonnage as necessary for events through a computer to the local utility company. This citywide system was designed with efficiency in mind. During the day, the utility company uses standard cooling towers to cool the water, and at night they use an ice plant to keep the water cold. This alleviates the need for each facility to run their own chillers; the center only uses the capacity necessary for the size of group in the facility.

Glass

All outer glass in the facility is low E glass which helps maintain facility temperatures during hot and cold periods. This systems works by reflecting heat back to its source and also reflects UV and IR light. It also prevents the formation of condensation and can help increase the loss of heat by up to 25% through the glass. Considering the Colorado Convention Center has about 300,000 sq ft of glass, this is substantial.

Recycling

In 2007, the CCC adopted a single stream/co-mingle recycle program. This means they recycle plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminum/tin cans, paper products and cardboard. All of these products are put into the same container and then taken to the designated “recycle” compactor. The ability to put all of these products into the same container saves labor and makes it much easier to dispose of. Another incentive to make this program work is that the Center does not pay to dispose of these loads as they do for general trash. Not only are they saving money, but they are helping to recycle products normally considered trash in most facilities, since it can be very difficult to separate. In addition, the Center does not bill clients for those items recycled as they do for general trash; this too is an incentive for the clients to participate in the program.

Chemicals

All cleaning chemicals used in the facility are bio-degradable and are concentrated to allow for dilution with water.