Grinnell has worked to reduced energy consumption on campus via a number of efficiency projects over the past decade few decades. To view a study of the college's energy use and efficiency projects from 1985 to the present, click here.

Recent notable projects include:

2007

• Science Phase II addition/rennovation will be submitted for LEED silver certification. An EnergyStar reflective roof (pictured right) keeps the building cool in the summer and a heat-recovery system on air handlers reduces heat loss in the winter.

2006

• Where automation is possible, heating stepoints were lowered from 72 to 68 degrees F and cooling setpoints raised from 72 to 76 degrees F. Signs inform room users of the temperature policy in locations with manual thermostates.
• The new Rosenfield Center will be submitted for LEED base level certification. Energy-efficient windows reduce heat loss and most lighting is controlled by scheduling in order to ensure that lights are not on during daylight hours.

2003

• East campus dorms were submitted for LEED base level certification. The dorms have direct-digital temperature controls that shut off heating or cooling when they sense open windows in dorm rooms. Variable-frequency drive on air handler fans and chilled-water pumps reduce energy requirements because they respond to specific heating and cooling needs and can operate at varying capacities rather than always operating at full capacity.
• With construction of the new energy center, more efficient 4-pass fire-tube boilers, a new steam and chilled-water underground insulated piping system, and two high-efficiency chillers were installed. This has reduced fuel consuption because heating and cooling operations are in a central location and can operate much more efficiently.

<1995-1999

• More efficient T-8 fluorescent light fixtures were installed in Rawson, Gates, Cowles, Dibble, Loose, James, Fine Arts, and the PEC