PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Trane has announced that its HVAC systems will help earn New Bethel Middle School in Bryant, Ark., a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED-NC) green building certification. LEED is the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC's) voluntary standard for developing sustainable buildings.

"Trane's HVAC system will ensure our vision for an environmentally responsible school that provides an optimal learning environment for our students," said Dr. Richard Abernathy, superintendent, Bryant School District. "Trane was instrumental in moving us closer to our goal of achieving LEED certification through the most energy efficient equipment, an integrated controls system, and a performance contract that helped finance the new construction in accordance with enabling state legislation."

Trane's performance contract with New Bethel Middle School will guarantee more than $50,000 in energy savings and more than $38,000 in cost savings over 15 years. To achieve these savings, Trane is supplying:

Two Trane FAXA packaged fresh air units to provide humidity control of ventilation air;

Fifty Trane Varitrane variable air volume units to control the volume of ventilation air;

Thirty-five Trane Varitrane variable air volume reheat units to control space temperature;

Thirty-two 16 SEER XL16i two-stage, direct expansion condensing units and variable speed air handlers serving classrooms;

Four 14 SEER XL14i direct expansion condensing units and air handlers serving administration offices; and

Tracer Summit® building automation system to provide integrated control of all aspects of the school's climate and lighting systems.

"We worked closely with Bryant Schools and its design team at every stage of the process, from touring green building sites with the Arkansas delegation, to grassroots lobbying throughout the state, and ultimately providing the school district an innovative technical and financial solution," said Teri Borton, director, Comprehensive Solutions, Trane Arkansas. "New Bethel Middle School is the first new construction performance contract in Arkansas and the first one of its kind commissioned by Trane."

For more information, visit www.trane.com.

Publication date: 06/06/2005