DALLAS – August 22, 2007 – The West Bolivar School District (WBSD) in Rosedale, Miss., has signed a $538,000 performance contract with the Energy Solutions division of TAC. A world leader in building automation, security and energy services, TAC will provide facility upgrades to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at three schools and the district administration building. TAC guarantees that WBSD will reduce utility costs by almost $52,000 annually when the project is completed.
TAC is delivering this project through performance contracting, a turnkey contracting method whereby the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed fixed price. Improved facility efficiency and comfort are among the long-term results TAC delivers 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 guarantees the amount of savings the projects will achieve and agrees 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.
Officials with WBSD faced continually increasing energy bills to run the aging mechanical equipment in the district’s facilities. Operations were also hampered by the lack of centralized control of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Lastly, the schools lacked adequate lighting, especially in the competition gyms, where poor light hindered play and made it difficult for audiences to follow games.
To resolve these problems, WBSD contracted with TAC to complete a total energy management retrofit in the elementary, middle and high schools as well as the administration building. The energy conservation measures (ECMs) that TAC will implement include installing a districtwide energy management system (EMS); replacing aging and inefficient HVAC equipment; and upgrading lighting to new energy efficient fluorescent fixtures.
