LONG BEACH, Calif. - Trane announced from the Energy 2005 conference that it has won a contract to supply HVAC systems to a new military facility being built at Robins Air Force Base. The company also announced that it has expanded its current energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station.

Robins Air Force Base is a major complex in Georgia employing over 25,000 civilian, contractor, and military employees. It's the home of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, the 78th Air Base Wing, and more than 60 other units that make up the Air Force war fighting team.

"We have to weigh the heat and humidity, which are critical comfort issues in Georgia, with the need for dependable, energy efficient systems, which are particularly important with the unique size and layout of our base," said Second Lt. Sequoiya Franks, public affairs officer, Robins Air Force Base. "When designing our systems, Trane took into consideration building sizes, air quality, moisture barriers, ventilation, make-up air, and lighting - all of which affect HVAC system design."

Trane designed a comprehensive system solution for Robins Air Force Base that includes:

  • Five 500-ton EarthWiseâ„¢ CenTraVacâ„¢ chillers that offer high efficiency and reliability, says the company.

  • Twelve industrial size custom air handlers designed to maintain air quality as well as ease installation and maintenance.

  • Two 100 percent fresh air outside air system units.

  • Two Precedentâ„¢ and two Voyager TM rooftop units that use the hot gas reheat feature to provide comfortable space temperatures while reducing relative humidity levels.

  • Twenty unit heaters, to provide efficient spot heating.

    Trane's expanded energy savings performance contract with the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C., guarantees more than $457,299 in additional energy savings over the next 16 years.

    To achieve these savings, Trane is supplying:

  • A renewable energy solution achieved through a variety of geothermal water source heat pumps that use renewable energy to quietly and efficiently maintain comfortable room temperatures while collectively helping to lower greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

  • 100-kilowatt microturbines that generate both electricity and hot water to meet base heating requirements and offset peak electricity demand levels.

  • Two EarthWiseâ„¢ CenTraVacâ„¢ centrifugal chillers designed to reduce energy use by up to 18 percent.

  • Trane's DX unitary air conditioning systems and boilers to maintain comfortable air temperature in small buildings on the base.

    Trane's expanded ESPC is designed to allow Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station to retire the remainder of its aging HVAC equipment and upgrade all energy management capabilities, while improving the quality of life on the base.

    Beaufort's initial ESPC was established in 2002 and netted more than $483,000 in energy savings in its first year of performance. Trane guarantees that it will perform at this level or better for an additional 15 years.

    "We're thrilled that our initial ESPC delivered Beaufort Marine Corp Air Station the energy saving results they needed and that they are using our ESPC program to fund additional infrastructure upgrades," said Robert L. Johnson, institutional markets leader for Trane. "Trane's ESPC contracts are a great way for the military to meet federal energy efficiency targets, reduce operating costs, make necessary building upgrades, and improve their environmental responsibility."

    For more information, visit www.trane.com.

    Publication date: 08/15/2005