New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a Top 50 Public National University, is the largest technological university in the New York metropolitan region. To provide an exceptional teaching, learning, and living environment, NJIT continuously invests in renewing existing facilities which now number more than 2.7 million square feet on its 48-acre Newark, NJ campus.

Utilizing PSE&G’s Energy Efficiency program incentives, TSE and Trane are installing campus wide energy efficient mechanical and lighting upgrades saving the university millions of dollars in project material and labor costs.

Anticipated Annual Savings

$273,475

Managing energy consumption across dozens of academic, residential, and administrative buildings presented a significant challenge for NJIT. Aging mechanical systems, outdated lighting, and inefficient equipment created unnecessary operating expenses and limited the university’s ability to maximize energy performance.

The scale of the project required coordination across 35 campus facilities while ensuring compliance, permitting, installation, and rebate administration were handled efficiently.

NJIT envisioned a campus-wide modernization strategy that would create long-term energy savings while improving occupant comfort and building performance. By leveraging PSE&G’s Direct Install and Engineered Solutions programs, the university sought to transform its facilities through high-efficiency technologies while significantly reducing upfront capital costs.

The goal was to create a more sustainable campus environment while positioning NJIT for future growth through smarter, more efficient infrastructure investments.

Tri-State Energy and Trane delivered a turnkey solution that managed every aspect of the project, including permitting, paperwork, incentive processing, material procurement, installation labor, and recycling. The project encompassed upgrades across 35 campus facilities and represented a total investment of more than $8.5 million.

Key Upgrades Included:

  • Campus-wide LED lighting upgrades (indoor and outdoor)
  • High-efficiency chillers
  • Top-of-the-line boiler systems
  • High-efficiency rooftop units (RTUs)
  • Water heater replacements
  • Demand control ventilation systems
  • Fuel-use economizers
  • Dual enthalpy economizers
  • Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
  • Advanced building controls and automation systems

Project Results

The PSE&G Direct Install portion of the project delivered substantial financial and energy-saving benefits:

  • Total Project Value: $6,079,279
  • PSE&G Incentives: $4,124,808
  • Customer Investment: $1,954,471
  • Incentives Covered: 68% of project costs
  • 60-Month Interest-Free On-Bill Financing
  • Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 1,295,325 kWh
  • Estimated Annual Natural Gas Savings: 32,327 Therms
  • Anticipated Annual Cost Savings: $273,475
What is a phased approach to building upgrades, and why is it beneficial?

A phased approach to building upgrades involves completing improvements in stages rather than all at once. This strategy helps minimize operational disruptions, spreads out costs over time, and allows facilities to prioritize critical upgrades while continuing normal operations.

Energy efficiency upgrades often include replacing outdated mechanical systems with modern, high-performance equipment. These improvements reduce the likelihood of system failures, lower maintenance demands, and ensure consistent performance—especially during peak usage periods.

Many energy improvement projects can leverage incentive programs, rebates, and financing options such as on-bill repayment. These solutions help reduce upfront costs and allow organizations to pay for upgrades over time, making large-scale improvements more financially manageable.

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