Education Agency Undergoes Energy Saving Renovation

Intermediate Unit’s Facilities to Undergo $1.4 Million Energy Saving Renovation

 

TAC Performance Contract Will Generate $11,909 in Annual Energy Savings

 

dallas – April 30, 2008 –Midwestern Intermediate Unit (MIU) IV, the education service agency for schools in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties in western Pennsylvania, is implementing $1,492,000 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at its facility in Grove City, PA. The Energy Solutions division of TAC, a world leader in energy services will complete the work as a performance contract with the organization. TAC guarantees that MIU IV will reduce its utility costs by $11,909 annually when the project is completed in August 2008.

 

MIU IV is one of 29 IUs serving schools in Pennsylvania and provides programs, services, and resources to 27 school districts, nonpublic schools, and three vocational schools. The organization’s facility, which was last updated in the 1980s, was in need of renovation. Rooftop air conditioning units, located on a roof beyond warranty, were at the end of their useful life; and inadequate temperature control and ineffective zoning throughout the building led to a variety of occupant comfort problems. Other areas for improvement included lighting and the building envelope.

 

“We wanted to renovate the building in a high quality manner that would meet long-term needs,” said Cecelia H. Yauger, executive director for MIU IV.

 

Added Robert Barber, director of Business Services, “The performance contracting process, with its savings guarantee, gives us confidence that we will achieve the desired results of improved comfort, greater efficiency and a healthy workspace.”

 

Performance contracting is a turnkey method whereby the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed fixed price. Improved facility efficiency, comfort, financial management and environmental protection are among the long-term results TAC delivers as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project.

 

TAC guarantees the amount of savings performance contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems generate the utility savings, as well as maximize energy-efficiency and improve occupant comfort. Performance contracting projects are funded in a variety of ways, including general obligation bond funds, maintenance reserve funds, and financing secured against guaranteed energy savings.

 

TAC will complete a comprehensive facility renovation for MIU IV, including a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system featuring a variable refrigerant volume heat pump and an energy recovery ventilation system. Additionally, an energy management system (EMS) will allow the facility staff to monitor and control the HVAC from a single workstation as well as streamline operations and maintenance. TAC will also redesign the lighting, installing new, efficient fixtures and controls. A new drop ceiling will be added to accommodate the updated fixtures and replace ceiling tiles. Repairing the roof and adding air sealing and weather-stripping throughout will complete the project.

 

Benefits for MIU IV will include a fully renovated facility with a new HVAC system that will improve comfort, and bring the entire building up to code. The lighting redesign will offer better illumination and meet the new energy code, while the restored ceilings will create a more aesthetically attractive and consistent space.

 

“To meet the challenges of this project, TAC has designed a variable volume refrigerant heat pump HVAC system specifically for this building, and we have also devised a work schedule that allows most of the staff at MIU IV to continue working in the building during the project,” said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “TAC delivers performance contracts that put the needs of customers first and offer accountability on all levels, while providing turnkey solutions to reduce the energy and operational inefficiencies of building systems. To provide enduring performance, TAC uncovers the causes of facility energy issues and focuses on diagnosis and education to ensure that each project minimizes the customer’s risk while delivering relevant business value,” he adds.

 

About TAC

TAC is a leading provider of building automation solutions based on Open Integrated Systems for Building IT. TAC's mission is to provide added value through building environment services for indoor climate, security and use of energy, delivered with advanced technology to end users and property owners throughout the world. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, building automation and security arenas, TAC employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, with partners and branches in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the global specialist in energy management, with 120,000 employees worldwide and operations in 102 countries.