Thomas Jefferson University

TRF is a regional leader in providing products and services designed to help building projects implement energy conservation and efficiency measures. Among the many projects we have been involved with over the years is the renovation of facilities that are part of the Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) in Philadelphia.

Located in Center City, TJU has a 13-acre campus that houses the school and health center, with approximately 3,200 enrolled students. As TJU has expanded, TRF has worked with the university to finance the energy efficiency components of its facility renovation projects.

Most recently TRF provided lease financing to implement a range of energy conservation measures. This project is the fourth in a multiphase redesign plan to bring energy conservation measures located primarily in six buildings on the university’s Center City campus. TJU has been primarily working with Constellation Energy Projects & Services Group, an energy services company, to design and implement the projects. To date, TRF has financed two energy projects for TJU and one project for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

The most recent set of energy conservation measures are expected to reduce TJU’s utility costs by $364,000 per year, annually saving 1.6 million kWhs of electricity, 3.6 million pounds of steam and 34.5 million gallons of water. Based on Constellation Energy’s estimates, the entire project is expected to have a simple payback of 5 years.

The energy measures in this phase include energy efficient lighting upgrades including LED in stair towers and HVAC controls. Water saving measures include cooling tower controls, low-flow restroom fixtures and re-use of clean condensate water in the cooling towers.