Case Study: San Diego State University achieves 18% electricity and 55% natural gas savings with Vigilent Intelligent Energy Management System

Wireless HVAC controls retrofit saves money and energy for students at San Diego State University

San Diego State University’s Aztec Recreation Center, managed by the Associated Students of SDSU, faced high heating, cooling and ventilation energy use from its original constant air volume (CAV) HVAC system in a 76,000 sq ft, heavily used facility. To help meet campus sustainability and net-zero goals while lowering utility costs, the university engaged Vigilent and deployed the Vigilent® Intelligent Energy Management System to better match airflow to real occupancy and comfort needs.

Vigilent installed wireless temperature sensors, a wireless gateway and its Artificial Intelligence Engine (with wireless VFD control modules and staff training) to approximate VAV performance and dynamically control supply fan speeds. The retrofit cut electricity use by 18% (≈268,000 kWh) and natural gas by 55% (≈9,300 therms), reduced annual utility bills by about $38,000, lowered CO2e emissions by ~166.5 metric tons, and enabled real‑time monitoring via Vigilent’s dashboard—all from a ~$70,000 project with an immediate/simple payback.

San Diego State University

Eric Huth

Associated Students Recreation Director