Schneider Electric -
August 19, 2009
Kansas School District Takes Steps to Enhance Efficiency
TAC by Schneider Electric Tapped to Implement Performance Contract
Dallas – August 19, 2009 – The Rose Hill USD 394 in Rose Hill, Kan., is implementing more than $2 million in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at three campuses totaling more than 440,000 square feet. TAC by Schneider Electric, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, will complete the work as a performance contract with the district. TAC guarantees that RHUSD will reduce its utility costs by $117,753 annually when the project is completed in June 2010.
Located in southern Kansas, twelve miles southeast of Wichita, the RHUSD serves 1,700 students in grades PK-12. Aging mechanical equipment was raising the district’s utility costs and causing comfort problems at some of the schools. TAC prepared a performance contract to resolve these problems.
“TAC came up with a solution that addressed our needs and fit within our budget,” said Mr. Randal Chickadonz, superintendent, RHUSD. “Through the performance contract, we can use the money we were spending on energy to upgrade our mechanical systems to create an efficient, comfortable campus for our students and staff.”
Performance contracting offers many long-term benefits for school districts, such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems maximize energy efficiency and generate utility savings. TAC guarantees the amount of savings performance contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized.
TAC will implement a variety of energy conservation measures, including major heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system replacements, in order to improve the efficiency and comfort of the RHUSD’s schools. Specifically, TAC will address humidity problems at the district’s gymnasiums that required constant air conditioning in order to remove moisture and keep the floors safe. TAC will also recommission and optimize the energy management system (EMS) to increase efficiency.
The district regularly has to use both heating and air conditioning at the same time in the high school. TAC will install a heat recovery chiller and economizer in order to transfer heat between the hot water and cold water systems to decrease the need to run the chiller in the winter or the boilers in the summer. Lighting retrofits at all the schools will improve illumination and save energy. Finally, TAC will convert the irrigation system at the high school from using city water to instead be supplied by water from a well on campus, resulting in cost savings on water utilities.
“By utilizing energy savings to offset the cost of much needed improvements, the RHUSD is getting a comprehensive project that will improve efficiency and district cash flows with guaranteed energy savings,” said Shon Anderson, vice president of sales, TAC Energy Solutions. “The result will be better learning and working environments for the students and staff at these three schools. And to achieve all these benefits, the district will not have to ask the tax payers for any additional funds.”