NC State’s Summer Energy Savings Initiative (SESI) helps reduce energy use and operating costs during periods when campus buildings have lower occupancy. In 2026, Energy Management and campus partners evaluated buildings and systems to identify opportunities to reduce energy use while maintaining safe and comfortable learning and research environments.

Led by NC State Energy Management in partnership with Building Maintenance & Operations, the University Sustainability Office and the Department of Registration and Records, SESI uses a range of strategies to reduce energy use in unoccupied spaces. During periods of low occupancy, selected spaces may transition into Eco-Mode, allowing HVAC systems to operate more efficiently while spaces are unoccupied.

Before summer sessions began, the effort included occupancy sensor checks, HVAC scheduling integration, classroom scheduling adjustments, teaching lab setbacks and expanded use of unoccupied control strategies.

2026 SESI by the numbers:

• 44 Buildings evaluated
• 1,835 VAVs evaluated
• 189 General-purpose classrooms scheduled, with 32 added this year
• 20 Teaching labs
• Nearly 20,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow reduced in unoccupied spaces during Eco-Mode operation

SESI is one part of NC State’s ongoing efforts to operate more sustainably. Faculty, staff and students can also help save energy and Sustain Our Pack through these simple actions:

• Shut the sash on laboratory fume hoods when not in use
• Switch off lights and equipment when leaving a space
• Unplug devices that are not being used
• Reduce water use
• Wash in cold water whenever possible

Together, these actions help NC State reduce energy use and operating costs while supporting a more sustainable campus.

For more information about the Summer Energy Savings Initiative, visit go.ncsu.edu/sesi.

This post was originally published in Energy Management.