TAC to Increase Energy Efficiency of Kansas School

Performance Contract to Deliver Almost $30,000 in Annual Savings

DALLAS - October 8, 2008 - The Wathena Unified School District 406 (USD 406) in Wathena, Kan., is implementing $537,913 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency in the district's 100,400 square-foot school facility. The Energy Solutions division of TAC, a world leader in energy services, building automation and security, will complete the work as a performance contract with the district. TAC guarantees that USD 406 will reduce its utility costs by more than $29,000 annually when the project is completed in February 2009.


Located in Doniphan County in northeastern Kansas, USD 406 serves students in Wathena in grades K through 12 in one main facility, parts of which are more than 50 years old. School officials contracted with TAC to resolve a variety of problems that were causing the district to use too much energy.

"Our maintenance staff was no longer able to get parts for the aging energy management system (EMS), making it increasingly difficult to keep classrooms comfortable," said Mike Newman, superintendent of USD 406. "Furthermore, the aging boiler system needed to be replaced. TAC's performance contract was the perfect solution to upgrade our facilities."

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

To correct USD 406's problems, TAC will replace the outdated EMS that has obsolete parts with a districtwide direct digital control (DDC) system. This will enable maintenance staff to monitor, control and even troubleshoot problems from a single workstation. TAC will also install two new noncondensing boilers that will be much more efficient than the old hot water boiler. A comprehensive lighting retrofit that will improve illumination in the school and save energy will complete the project.

"Students, faculty and other staff at USD 406 will enjoy a better learning and working environment as a result of these facility updates," said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. "The new DDC system will eliminate the comfort problems in the school, the new lighting will create brighter spaces, and the boilers will provide more reliable heating. All of these new systems will be more energy-efficient and better for the environment as well."

About TAC
TAC is a leading provider of building automation solutions based on Open Integrated Systems for Building IT. TAC's mission is to provide added value through building environment services for indoor climate, security and use of energy, delivered with advanced technology to end users and property owners throughout the world. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, building automation and security arenas, TAC employs more than 8,000 people worldwide, with partners and branches in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the global specialist in energy management with 120,000 employees worldwide and operations in 102 countries.

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