Saratoga Building Energy Reduction Pilot
Building occupancy and use has transformed across campus since the COVID-19 pandemic started. UMB has piloted an energy savings project within the Saratoga Building offices (floors 1, 12, 13, and 14) that capitalizes on current building use. Self-reported survey and card access data identified Fridays as a low-occupancy day within Saratoga. To capitalize upon this occupancy trend, we have implemented heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) setbacks on Fridays that started on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
We encourage all building occupants to telework on Fridays. With the HVAC setbacks, the building is expected to be warmer than normal during hotter days, and colder than normal during cooler days. To read the email that went out to building occupants in early August of 2022 from Dr. Dawn Rhodes, please visit this link. If you know of staff who have started working in the Saratoga Building since August 2022, we encourage you to share this information with them.
Purpose
To capture energy savings and the associated greenhouse gas emissions during low-occupancy times within Saratoga office spaces. This program aligns with the state of Maryland's commitment to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge, committing to a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 10 years.
Partners
Progress
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) Saved and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Avoided from Saratoga Pilot for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024
This pilot began on August 26, 2022. Take a look at the chart below to see the savings from FY23 (with a start of September due to the pilot start date) and FY24.
|
FY 22
September '21 - June '22
|
FY23
September '22 - June '23
|
FY 22
July '21 - June '22
|
FY 24
July '23 - June '24
|
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kWh Used | 1,956,503 | 1,801,689 | 2,551,109 | 2,268,408 | |
|
kWh Saved
(compared to FY22)
|
154,815 |
kWh Saved
(compared to FY22)
|
282,701 | 437,516 | |
|
GHG Avoided
(in MTCDE)
|
108 |
GHG Avoided
(in MTCDE)
|
197 | 305 |
As of May 20, 2025:
| Period | Percent Change Compared to Same Period, Previous Year |
|---|---|
| September 2022 - June 2023 | -7.91% |
| July 2023 - June 2024 | -2.64% |
| July 2024 - present | -7.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still come into Saratoga on Fridays?
A: Yes, the building is still safe to enter on Fridays. Although the perimeter HVAC is still operating, you may notice the air temperature difference. We recommend dressing for comfort if you need to enter the building on a Friday.
Q: Does this affect parking in Saratoga Garage?
A: No, parking in Saratoga Garage is unaffected by this program. Check out the Parking and Transportation website for the most up-to-date Saratoga Garage parking hours.
Q: Will the building still have power?
A: Yes, the building will still have electricity, running water, and emergency life-safety systems. These systems will not be adjusted or turned off as part of this program; only the HVAC for the building will be affected.
Q: What about the Maryland Poison Center and other areas of the Saratoga Building that have supplemental cooling systems?
A: The Maryland Poison Center and other IT areas of the building have smaller supplemental cooling systems that will not be turned off as part of this program. These areas will be unaffected by the HVAC setbacks on Fridays.
Q: How does this help UMB and the surrounding community?
A: UMB is committed to innovation and discovery. By identifying existing patterns in how we work, we are adjusting our operations to capitalize on those patterns. Each building HVAC system uses a lot of electricity to heat and cool buildings each day. By turning off the HVAC system to save energy, we are able to help decrease UMB’s energy load on the BGE grid, which in turn allows for more electrical capacity for other Baltimore residents and businesses to operate. Reducing our electrical consumption also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with that electricity. Currently, UMB’s electricity is generated from several sources, including burning fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere among other pollutants, which contributes to global climate change.
Q: How does the program alter mail and environmental services within Saratoga?
A: Mail services will be halted on Fridays and will resume the following business day. If you need mail services on a Friday, please visit their new location at 111. S. Penn St., lower level of General Research Building. If you need EVS assistance or maintenance work on a Friday, please call the service center at 410-706-7570 or submit a request online.
