Oklahoma School District Upgrades Facilities, Improves Efficiency

The Luther (OK) Public Schools are implementing more than $800,000 in facility upgrades to improve operations and efficiency at district buildings. TAC, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, guarantees the district will lower utility costs by $20,429 annually.

Luther Public Schools (LPS) in Luther, Okla., are implementing more than $800,000 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at nine district buildings containing 110,000 square feet. TAC, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, is completing the work as a performance contact with the district. TAC guarantees that the LPS will reduce its utility costs by $20,429 annually when the project is completed later this year.


Located on the outskirts of metropolitan Oklahoma City, Luther Public Schools serve more than 800 students in grades Pre-K through 12. Faced with rising energy costs, the district sought a solution that would be cost-effective and address the need for mechanical system upgrades and energy efficiency.

"The performance contract from TAC was the best solution for our schools, because it offers guaranteed energy savings and enables us to use the money we are already spending on energy to address the long-term needs of our facilities," said W. B. Wilson, LPS superintendent. "The performance contract also allows the district to advance environmental responsibility within the community."

Wilson explained that the energy-efficiency measures will reduce the district's CO2 emissions by 317,331 lbs., which is equivalent to planting 28,123 trees or removing 50 cars from area roads every year.

Performance contracting offers many long-term benefits for school districts, such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems maximize energy efficiency and generate utility savings. TAC guarantees the amount of savings performance contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized.

Based on a comprehensive energy audit and efficiency plan, TAC projects that LPS will realize 21 percent savings in gas and electric consumption with the completion of several energy conservation measures (ECMs). These include a comprehensive lighting retrofit to high bay fluorescents in two district gyms; installing a districtwide energy management system with local user overrides; and a complete heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) replacement in portions of the elementary school that will replace aging mechanical equipment and improve indoor air quality.

"Performance contracting was the perfect method for the school district in Luther to address its facility improvement needs. This solution provides the capital to address long-term objectives and turnkey construction that does not strain resources," said Shon Anderson, vice president of sales, TAC Energy Solutions. "The district also sets an example for the community with the positive environmental impact of the efficiency project."

About TAC by Schneider Electric
TAC, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, is a leading provider of solutions that deliver business value to customers by enabling them to do more with less energy. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, energy and security arenas, TAC employs more than 8,000 people worldwide, with partners in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, offering integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centers/networks. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 120,000 employees achieved sales of more than $23.7 billion in 2007. For more information visit www.tac.com and www.schneider-electric.com.

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