Robison Elementary
Subsequent to the completion of Phase 1, the district requested SmartEdge review the scope of work planned for the 66,000-square-foot Robison Elementary and make recommendations. SmartEdge developed an alternative approach/scope for the reconstruction of the building, which resulted in a significant reduction in costs and improved systems performance.
The Robison Elementary project included upgrading the heating plant, installing a new HVAC system and controls, replacing windows and putting in a new emergency generator. In addition, SmartEdge installed full security and fire-alarm systems, as well as a mass notification system, which allows the building to be used as a central point of refuge for the community during emergencies. The work in Robison Elementary was completed during the late spring and summer of 2013—in time for the opening of the school in late August—and cost $3.3 million.
While not strictly an energy-efficiency upgrade, the work at Robison Elementary will generate energy savings of 166,000 kWh of electricity and almost 8,000 ccf of natural gas. This will provide an additional utility-cost savings of $22,000 based on current energy-unit costs and savings of $12,000 in operations and maintenance.
A final benefit of these projects is that all the Fort LeBoeuf Schools have improved their ENERGY STAR ratings. Administered by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the ENERGY STAR program provides a standardized method of benchmarking similar buildings. The improvements at Robison Elementary enabled the school to increase its ENERGY STAR rating from 84 to 99, which means the school’s energy performance exceeds 99 percent of the energy performance of similar school buildings in the EPA database. The other district schools experienced impressive gains in their ENERGY STAR ratings, as well. The high school improved to 72 from 21 and the middle school to 84 from 54. One elementary school saw its ENERGY STAR rating rise from 36 to 81 and the other went from 12 all the way to 84.
The facility improvements and ECMs SmartEdge completed for Fort LeBoeuf Schools have changed the district from one that used excessive energy to an efficient operation. Now, facilities are also more comfortable for students and staff and the district has confidence its valuable resources are devoted to education and students and not to utility companies and high-energy costs.
Photos: SmartEdge
Materials
BOILERS // Laars High Efficiency Condensing Boilers
ROOFTOP UNITS // AAON High Efficiency
VAV BOXES // Price Industries
CHILLER // Trane
CONTROLS // Schneider Electric I/A Series
EMERGENCY GENERATOR // Caterpillar Engine GEN Set
INTERIOR LIGHTING // Lithonia LED and fluorescent fixtures
EXTERIOR LIGHTING // GE LED
VFD // SquareD from Schneider Electric
WINDOWS // Tremco Commercial Glazing Systems