TIPP CITY, Ohio /eNewsChannels/ — NEWS: Ohio’s Oak Hills Local Schools partnered with Energy Optimizers, USA, to launch an ambitious $4 million energy conservation project, expected to generate at least $373,835 in savings annually. The savings will be recognized in the district’s general fund on utility and related maintenance costs, assuming usage consumption and utility rates remain at current levels. The district will issue debt payments of approximately $330,000 over a 15-year period from their Permanent Improvement Fund to pay for the project.
The project, which includes a solar thermal system to heat the Oak Hills High School swimming pool, will improve the comfort, control and reliability of the district’s HVAC and lighting systems while significantly reducing operational costs. In total, 11 buildings will be improved, including the district’s central office and the bus garage.
“As a leader in education, it is incumbent on us to also take a leadership role in making smart investments in smart energy,” said Superintendent Todd Yohey. “This project will not only save our taxpayers dollars, it will put us firmly at the leading edge of using energy management technologies.”
Energy efficient measures will include:
* Replacement of interior lighting with more efficient lamps and the removal of unneeded lamps to cut waste
* Replacement of exterior lighting with LED technology to improve energy efficiency while enhancing building safety, appearance and security
* Installation of energy efficient kitchen measures
* Controls commissioning, repairs, upgrades, integration and advanced energy management controls programming
* Installation of a solar thermal system to heat the swimming pool
* Installation of block heater controls for the bus terminals.
Projected energy savings are guaranteed for three years, and the dollars saved will be used for educational purposes.
“Building systems are becoming more efficient; it just makes sense to take advantage of these improvements to make our operations as cost-effective as possible,” said Director of Operations John Beckemeyer. “On top of that, we expect our buildings will be more comfortable and our systems more reliable.”
The project will also integrate the Energy Star Portfolio Manager system to model and track the current and on-going energy usage and performance of the school district.
“In our classrooms, we stress innovation and real-world experience,” said Yohey. “What better way to expose students to both than through an energy-management project that will allow students to view the energy performance of their buildings in real time while learning more about STEM-based careers?”
Energy Optimizers, USA, also makes education a component to the majority of its public school energy conservation projects. As such, it will fund the launch of a Green Team to educate students about energy management concepts and careers in STEM fields.
“We are dedicated to helping our clients reduce their energy costs, and that’s all about education, every step of the way,” said Energy Optimizers, USA Founder and President Greg Smith. “It’s about helping our clients understand what options make the most sense for them. But it’s also about educating the next generation of leaders in STEM fields. That’s why we believe so strongly in helping students bridge their classroom studies with career options.”
In addition to funding the team for two years, Energy Optimizers, USA, will provide Ohio Energy Project academic materials that are aligned to Ohio’s academic content standards. Green Team members will take part in STEM-related activities that are focused on energy conservation, while encouraging their peers to become more environmentally conscious.
About Energy Optimizers, USA:
Energy Optimizers, USA works with educational, governmental, commercial and industrial customers 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. The company is ranked in the Top 500 of INC. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. (2014), was named the Fastest Growing Company in the region for two consecutive years by the Dayton Business Journal (2013, 2014), and was named a BBB Eclipse Integrity Award Finalist (2012).
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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