Andover, Mass. — Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today announced the completion of a $3.4 million infrastructure improvement project at four district schools at the Keystone Oaks School District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as students begin the 2016-2017 school year. The project will dramatically improve classroom comfort and reduce the district’s annual energy and maintenance costs by 18 percent, which equals $106,000 per year.

The Keystone Oaks School District faced frequent failures and maintenance issues with its aging HVAC and control systems, which led to inconsistent temperatures and comfort complaints in many classrooms. In addition, the district faced significant financial constraints due to a nine-month state budget impasse that cut off critical funding needed for capital improvements. To address these challenges, the district enlisted Schneider Electric to perform an energy efficiency project to upgrade and service HVAC components and install new building automation systems, ensuring consistent temperatures at the district’s middle school and three elementary schools. Teachers can now adjust the temperature in their classrooms as needed, and the district will avoid wasted energy and costs from heating and cooling unoccupied rooms. The project was funded in part by an energy savings performance contract (ESPC), where utility and operational savings are used to fund renovations and the remainder was funded through traditional procure measures.

“Our schools’ leaders are committed to our district’s financial stability, and this solution allowed us to make necessary improvements in a challenging financial environment,” said William P. Stropkaj, Ed.D., Superintendent, Keystone Oaks School District. “While many Pennsylvania school districts were struggling with unresolved state budgets and facing school closures, we were able to reinvest in our buildings and improve our students’ learning experience. We’re excited to welcome our students back this fall to more comfortable and sustainable schools.”

“We’re proud to have been able to help Keystone Oaks School District accomplish these critical facilities improvements for the community despite a very challenging fiscal climate,” said David Kramer, account manager, Schneider Electric. “These types of partnerships make it possible for school districts to invest in their student learning environments in a fiscally responsible way.”

In addition to dramatically improving classroom comfort, the project will also have a substantial environmental impact, removing 452 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, which is equivalent to removing 94 cars from the road or powering 66 homes.

Over the past 23 years, Schneider Electric has successfully implemented more than 575 ESPC projects across the nation, savings its clients nearly $2 billion. This project delivery method helps publicly funded entities make capital improvements over longer payback periods and offers many long-term benefits such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection.

For more information, visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.