Bluffton-Harrison, BLUFFTON, IN

VALUE DELIVERED

$321,885 in annual school-wide savings on operational, maintenance, and energy costs over 10 years; complete recovery of natatorium HVAC upgrade costs; improved comfort and safety for students, faculty, athletes, coaches, and spectators; compliance with ASHRAE and athletic competition standards; extended facility service life; ongoing economies, efficiencies, and investment returns.

OBJECTIVES

To stabilize the middle school’s natatorium temperature and humidity levels for optimum occupant comfort and safety, while reducing energy consumption and costs.

SOLUTIONS

ECS Midwest engineered and designed an environmental control system that now keeps the client’s natatorium temperature and humidity at levels compliant with both ASHRAE and swim competition standards. ECS Midwest then self-performed the full range of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work to bring the project to completion.

In the process, the company installed the control system as well as a secondary heat exchanger. The exchanger uses rejected heat from the control system to warm the pool at virtually no cost. ECS Midwest also replaced a galvanized duct system with a fabric duct that "washes" the exterior walls to provide more uniform air distribution throughout the building envelope, pool deck, and water surface area.

Additional Information: Dating back to the 1970's, the mechanical system ECS Midwest replaced used 100 percent outside air for space conditioning, a very inefficient approach that had become increasingly expensive to operate and maintain. In addition, high humidity levels threatened the integrity of the structure and its finishes. Most important, the system was unable to keep temperatures consistent throughout the building, resulting in a frequently uncomfortable and needlessly challenging environment for teaching and learning.

BACKGROUND

Organized in 1882, the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District serves approximately 1,500 students in its elementary school, middle school, and high school.

OPERATING COMPANY:
ECS Midwest

CLIENT:
Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District

CONTRACTOR:
ECS Midwest

COST:
$319,859

		New Construction
		Design/Build Retrofit
		Electrical Construction
		Construction Services
		Facilities Services
		Consulting Services