The Challenge
Fairfield City Schools was concerned with keeping their 10 buildings properly functioning. With outdated, energy inefficient equipment, and ever growing annual maintenance and operating costs, the district was looking to develop a long-term strategy that would upgrade their building envelope without turning to tax payers or needing substantial capital investment.
Jared Deich, NEC Regional Manager, and Mike Farrell, Director of Engineering, sat down with district personnel to develop an energy optimization program that could be incorporated in all school buildings under a funding mechanism that would finance the capital improvements out of existing budgets. They determined that funding through the State of Ohio and from the HB-264 program would make the most sense for the district.
Together, they created a plan to:
- Audit all school buildings utilizing NEC’s Audit process
- Prepare a report for school officials to review findings and recommendations
- Itemize findings into categories and prioritize based on need and cost/benefit equation
- Create overall operating plan for submission to Ohio Schools Facility Commission/li>
Some of the findings that needed to be addressed:
- Legacy lighting in classrooms, gymnasiums, parking lots needed upgrading
- Failing or inoperable BAS (Building Automation Systems)
- Aging and failing HVAC equipment with inconsistent cooling and heating in classrooms
- Penalties from Duke Energy for low power factor (inefficient energy utilization)
- 60 year old single pane windows with aluminum framing
- High carbon dioxide levels in classrooms
The Solution
Using the data from the building audits and NEC’s energy modeling software, the team was able to design a Total Energy Optimization (TEO) solution for Fairfield Community Schools.
The TEO was designed to drive the highest possible energy, maintenance, and operational savings while increasing comfort and ensuring long term building continuity.
Additionally, NEC submitted a custom Duke Energy Smart Saver application to maximize rebates for the district.
The Results: After an extensive critical analysis and approval process, the district approved the NEC TEO plan. NEC was able to help the Fairfield City School District secure over $250,000 in incentive dollars for the project which led to their selection as a Duke Energy Power Partner in 2011.
This is a very select group of customers that are chosen as recognition of their commitment to energy conservation. Furthermore, three district buildings are now eligible for an Energy Star® rating for their efficient use of energy.
Finally, after deployment of the TEO project, the district is ahead of energy savings projections with well over $300,000 in annual energy savings.
NEC’s TEO Plan sAVES Fairfield City Schools $300,000 annaully
Total Energy Optimization (TEO)
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Duke Energy Power Partner
After an extensive critical analysis and approval process, the district approved the NEC TEO plan. NEC was able to help the Fairfield City School District secure over $250,000 in incentive dollars for the project which led to their selection as a Duke Energy Power Partner in 2011.
This is a very select group of customers that are chosen as recognition of their commitment to energy conservation. Furthermore, three district buildings are now eligible for an Energy Star® rating for their efficient use of energy.
Finally, after deployment of the TEO project, the district is ahead of energy savings projections with well over $300,000 in annual energy savings.
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