Albert Gallatin High School Achieves 20% Utility Cost Reduction with Trane’s Energy-Efficient Solutions

Summary

The Albert Gallatin Area School District is located in the southwestern portion of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It is named after Albert Gallatin who was the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, planner of the Lewis and Clark expedition, engineer of the financial details of the Louisiana Purchase and founder of New York University. The district includes six elementary schools, two middle schools and one senior high school. The mission of the Albert Gallatin Area School District is to provide every student with a safe, supportive and collaborative environment to promote academic achievement and social growth in a global society.

Challenge

When Albert Gallatin High School was built in the early 1970s, air conditioning was not included. In order to enhance the comfort of students and staff, as well as improve academic performance, school administrators considered the addition of air conditioning at the school. However, improvements could only be made if financially viable.

Solution

Trane approached the Albert Gallatin High School superintendent and business manager with a solution to their comfort needs that would also allow the school to stay within its budget parameters. The comprehensive approach included an EarthWise™ Ice-Enhanced Air-Cooled chiller plant, fully integrated with the existing building controls, and updated lighting for considerable energy savings. The Trane team also suggested Trane Performance Contracting, which would allow the energy saving projections from the improvements to be used to finance the project under state funding through Pennsylvania (PA) Act 39. The school selected Trane as its energy savings performance contractor for the project.

Pre-engineered configuration reduces risk and cost

The sustainable, premium efficiency system uses a Trane air-cooled scroll (CGAM) chiller, designed to be reliable and efficient, and to operate at low sound levels for a quiet learning environment. Tapping into Trane’s extensive application knowledge and experience, the pre-engineered, standard configuration chiller reduces risk, complexity and engineering costs. It also simplified installation and commissioning, allowing the school to get the system up and running prior to the onset of hot weather.

Ice storage shifts load to off-peak hours

Ice storage tanks help Albert Gallatin High School reduce electrical consumption and energy costs, while managing peak demands. The chiller builds ice at night during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower and the building is shut down. During the day, when electricity costs are higher, the ice is used to provide cooling for the building.

VAV system, LED lighting increase energy savings

The high school’s aging rooftop unit above the administrative offices was replaced with a Trane rooftop variable air volume (VAV) system. The unit varies the quantity of air delivered, maintaining the desired temperature for the comfort of staff and providing energy savings for the high school. The existing T-8 fluorescent lighting in the high school’s gymnasium, hallways and building exterior was upgraded with more energy efficient four-foot LED lamps. The cafeteria lighting was also retrofitted with LEDs. The LED lighting increases illumination, eliminating shadows and dark spots, and significantly reduces the schools energy costs.

Fully-integrated controls system provides easy access

A Trane Tracer™ SC control system automates the air-cooled chiller and ice plant, and is fully integrated through BACnet® with the existing third-party vendor controls system. The intuitive, web-based user interface of the Tracer SC allows building operators to access their system from any personal computer that meets system requirements, even from remote locations. The system is used to view status reports, manage energy use, create scheduling, improve efficiencies and provide consistent classroom comfort.

Service agreement helps maintain peak performance

A Trane service agreement helps to keep the school’s systems running at peak performance. Regular maintenance by factory authorized technicians helps ensure the equipment efficiency, reduces downtime and allows the school to avoid costly emergency repairs. Trane Intelligent Services (TIS) alarm notification provides constant monitoring of system performance and real-time alerts to enable the school to get back up and running quickly should a problem occur.

Results

Upgrades at Albert Gallatin High School, made possible by a Trane performance contracting agreement and state funding through PA Act 39, are expected to provide annual energy savings of nearly $50,000, representing a 20 percent reduction in total utility costs for the school. The exceptional energy savings is attributable to a high-efficiency Trane EarthWise™ Ice-Enhanced Air-Cooled chiller plant, automated by a fully integrated controls system, and LED lighting upgrades. The school’s service costs are also being reduced due to a service agreement with Trane Intelligent Services alarm notification. The improvements have created a more comfortable learning environment during warm weather, helping to improve student performance.

“The Trane team exceeded our expectations with prompt feedback in all areas of concern, in a professional and timely manner,” said Carl Bezjak, Albert Gallatin High School superintendent. “I would highly recommend Trane to any business or school district seeking energy upgrades.”

About Albert Gallatin High School

Trane Performance Contracting allowed Albert Gallatin High School to use energy saving projections to finance HVAC and controls upgrades under state funding through PA Act 39.

An ice storage system helps the high school reduce electricity consumption and manage peak demands.