Press Release

Schneider Electric - February 10, 2010

Kansas School District Focuses on Energy Efficiency
Schneider Electric Performance Contract Guarantees $68,000 Annual Savings

Dallas - February 10, 2010 - Hoisington Unified School District 431 in Hoisington, Kansas, is completing $1.39 million in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at the district's six facilities. Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management, will complete the work as a performance contract with the district. Schneider Electric guarantees that USD 431 will reduce its utility costs by almost $68,000 annually once the implementation of the improvements is completed.

Located in central Kansas, USD 431 serves more 600 students at its four schools. The district also has an activity center and administrative office, for a total of more than 265,000 square feet of facilities. In addition to high utility costs straining an already tight budget, there were mechanical system problems and the district lacked a functional central building management system (BMS).

"Our district has experienced huge increases in utility charges as well as comfort problems, even at some of our newer facilities," said Bill Lowry, superintendent of USD 431. "We needed a solution besides another bond issue to replace failing equipment and inefficient systems. Schneider Electric's performance contract offered us the best way to move forward with the facility improvements we needed."

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. Schneider Electric guarantees the amount of savings performance contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized.

Schneider Electric's plan to resolve USD 431's facility problems includes several energy conservation measures (ECMs). Schneider Electric will replace antiquated lighting systems with new energy-efficient lamps and ballasts that also provide improved illumination. Existing building controls will be re-commissioned and new a BMS will be installed where there is none. The new, unified system will provide consistent control throughout the district for improved efficiency and comfort. Mechanical equipment replacements include new rooftop equipment at two of the buildings, as well as electrical system upgrades at one of the elementary schools.

"Students and staff at USD 431 will benefit from an improved learning and working environment as a result of these facility updates," said Shon Anderson, Vice President, sales, Energy Solutions group of Schneider Electric. "Taxpayers in the district will be relieved that these important improvements will be completed using money that is already budgeted for utilities, so they will not face increases in taxes or another bond sale. And Schneider Electric guarantees the savings, so there will be no surprise charges in the future."


About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, security, and data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 114,000 employees achieved sales of more than 18.3 billion euros in 2008, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations "Make the most of their energy."

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