Chaffey College

Hundreds of thousands in savings, from one new central plant

Chaffey College had efficiency problems with boilers and chillers spread throughout their campus. After consultations, the college decided to increase the efficiency of its utility services with a new central plant and underground piping distribution system. We provided engineering services, construction documents, cost estimates and construction administration from inception to the post-warranty period. The distribution portion of the project included approximately six miles of underground piping that connected 18 buildings served by the central plant.

The new 1,800-ton chiller plant was designed to provide cooling to campus buildings while the new 9 MMBtu boiler plant was designed for maximum efficiency while minimizing output of end products subject to regulations by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). We also built-in some flexibility for new telecommunications, as well as electrical and gas infrastructure for existing and future buildings on campus. The new central plant saved Chaffey over $500,000 in operating costs during the first three years of operation. The design also won a 2007 Engineering Excellence Merit Award from Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California (CELSOC).