TAC guarantees that the CISD will save a minimum of
$76,500 annually in utility costs as a result of the energy efficiency
projects. This will result in at least $1.15 million in utility savings
over the next 15 years. In addition, the district will qualify for a
onetime utility rebate of almost $10,000 from the local electric
company.
Among the problems faced by CISD that TAC will
address are increasing utility costs, outdated and ineffective building
automation equipment, poor lighting, inadequate security at the high
school, and high water costs, especially for irrigating the district’s
athletic fields.
“Having just passed a bond to build a new school, we
felt it was important to also make improvements to our existing
facilities,” said John Walker, business manager, CISD. “With no bond
money allocated, however, we had to find a financially responsible
solution to upgrade our aging campuses without the need for taxpayer
support. Contracting with TAC allows the district to use existing funds
already being spent on utilities and redirect them toward capital
needs. As time goes on, the additional savings created can be used for
other general fund items.”
Energy and water saving improvements TAC will complete for the
CISD include implementing a centralized energy management system (EMS)
using direct digital controls to operate systems such as the heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and installing energy
efficient lighting. TAC will also excavate an irrigation well for
watering the athletic fields. With a dedicated well, maintaining the
fields will not interfere with the local water supply or cause the
district to pay a premium for high water usage.
Finally, TAC will install a new surveillance system at the high
school that will allow administrators to see what is happening around
campus at any given time throughout the day or night. This is intended
to deter vandalism and enable administrators to identify perpetrators.
To enable the district to achieve continued savings, TAC will
provide staff training on operating and maintaining the EMS. In
addition, ongoing utility tracking by TAC called Performance Assurance
Support Services (PASS) will show CISD administrators how much utility
costs have dropped on a monthly basis.
“Students, faculty and other staff at the CISD will enjoy a better
learning and working environment as a result of these facility
updates,” said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions.
“This is especially true for the high school where the new EMS will
allow the facility staff to have control of the indoor environment and
to optimize comfort and efficiency.”
As part of the performance contract, TAC guarantees that the CISD
will save at least $76,500 annually on utilities, or TAC will pay the
difference.
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 5,000 people worldwide, with partners and branches in
80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the world
leader in automation and electricity management, with 112,000 employees
worldwide and operations in 190 countries.
