TIPP CITY, Ohio /eNewsChannels/ — NEWS: Adam Bird, Superintendent of New Richmond Exempted Village Schools in Ohio, is pleased to announce that the district has implemented an energy conservation project, which is being executed by Energy Optimizers, USA, to improve five existing schools, reduce over-all energy usage, and save taxpayer dollars.
“In an age of declining revenue and resources, the ability to reduce our operational expenditures through greater energy efficiency is tremendously important for the fiscal health of the school district. Energy Optimizers, USA, and SHP Leading Design have enabled us to save dollars that can be redirected into the classrooms for quality instruction for our students,” says Bird.
Energy Optimizers, USA, along with strategic partner SHP Leading Design, has identified areas where enhancements should be made to the high school, middle school, and three elementary schools, so the buildings can be more purposeful in their use of energy without compromising a comfortable learning environment for teachers and students. The district is utilizing a funding mechanism through the Ohio School Facilities Commission’s House Bill 264 program so that the District does not have to ask for any taxpayer dollars.
Though the total cost of this project exceeds $1.6 million (prior to grants and rebates), the New Richmond School system stands to save a staggering $128,676 in annual energy and operations costs.
“To date, SHP has helped over 35 school districts with energy saving initiatives,” noted Charlie Jahnigen, Vice President of SHP Leading Design. “SHP has worked with New Richmond Schools to improve their learning environments. Focusing on energy efficiency is a great step to long-term facility management,” added Jahnigen. The breadth of project experience and commitment to a critical mission by Energy Optimizers, USA and SHP will serve this Cincinnati-region district well.
Energy Optimizers, USA and SHP Leading Design developed a project for New Richmond Schools that will include interior and exterior lighting renovations which will significantly reduce electrical consumption across the district, in addition to upgrading existing HVAC and mechanical equipment in all buildings. The control systems in the buildings will be integrated into one web-based system to allow the district to monitor and analyze the facilities’ energy usage. Programming measures will reduce energy usage and improve comfort levels in the buildings.
The High School boiler will be replaced with a new high efficiency condensing boiler. The old steam boiler that serves the pool, kitchen, and entranceways at the High School will be replaced with a high efficiency boiler. Various mechanical equipment repairs will be made throughout the district. There will be a 15-year energy savings verification program implemented as required by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
Additionally, students and teachers will receive funding to implement an energy education program that allows students to take the New Richmond School District’s sustainability efforts a step further by creating student groups called “Green Teams.” Students who wish to participate in Green Team programming will participate in engrossing, educational STEM (Science. Technology. Engineering. Math) activities related to energy conservation, while encouraging their peers to become more environmentally conscious. Adrian Hawk, a teacher at Monroe Elementary, is leading the District’s Green Team program and has already begun developing the team and curriculum, which will be provided by the Ohio Energy Project.
“It is always encouraging when the school district we are working with is as excited as we are to implement an energy conservation project,” notes Bob Hausmann, Director of Operations for Energy Optimizers, USA. “New Richmond Schools’ administration and School Board members are not only making positive changes in order to conserve both energy and taxpayer resources, they are creating better, more efficient facilities for their students and teachers. We look forward to helping them meet their fiscal goals and assisting them in championing a great idea – the idea that a ‘greener,’ more sustainable means of energy use is not only responsible and practical, it is preferable.”
About Energy Optimizers, USA:
Energy Optimizers, USA works with Ohio school districts and government agencies to implement energy savings opportunities to reduce operational costs, including lighting retrofits, renewable energy projects (wind and solar), HVAC retrofit projects, building automation retrofits and energy education programs. To learn more about Energy Optimizers, USA, visit their website at http://energyoptusa.com/ or call them at (937) 877-1919.
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