The Clyde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) in Clyde, Texas, has completed a $792,000 project to lower its utility costs and improve operations, comfort, and efficiency at its facilities. The Energy Solutions division of TAC, a provider of energy services, building automation, and security, accomplished the work as a performance contract with the district. TAC guaranteed that Clyde CISD would reduce its utility costs by $57,000 annually.

Located in west Texas, the Clyde CISD serves 1,515 students in grades Pre-K through 12. The district’s four schools and administration buildings, which encompass more than 340,000 square feet of space, were struggling with rising energy costs, aging HVAC equipment, problematic lighting systems, and electricity surges. To remedy these problems, TAC performed a lighting retrofit, installed a direct digital control energy management system (EMS), and conducted power monitoring at the district’s facilities. TAC also replaced the HVAC equipment at the junior high school.

“Not only will the Clyde CISD enjoy significant energy savings as a result of the performance contract, but it has also enabled the district to qualify for a rebate from the local utility company,” said L.O. Williams, assistant superintendent of finance for Clyde CISD. “Students and staff at the junior high appreciate improved comfort, and we now have better control of all our facilities because of the new EMS. Furthermore, the power monitoring has quelled concerns of damaging power surges.”

TAC is delivering this project through performance contracting, 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 said it would deliver as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project.

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 guaranteed the amount of savings the projects will achieve and agreed 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, TAC officials said.

“The performance contract made it possible for the Clyde CISD to resolve its facility problems using money that was already being spent on utilities,” said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “For smaller school systems with limited budgets like Clyde, performance contracting is an excellent method to finance part of facility upgrades without raising taxes or selling bonds. The savings guarantee assures administrators that existing funds will help cover some costs of the improvements, while students and staff can enjoy a better learning and working environment as a result.”

Publication date: 06/09/2008