Tri-Central, SHARPESVILLE, IN

VALUE DELIVERED

$687,128 in guaranteed annual operational, maintenance, and energy savings over 10 years, enough to repay all project financing; improved classroom air quality and comfort; automated energy efficiency; an optimum learning environment; easy project administration through a seamless design and single-source solution; competitive financing; ongoing economies, efficiencies, and investment returns.

OBJECTIVES

To reduce energy consumption and costs, as well as operational and maintenance expenses in the system’s elementary, middle, and high schools.

SOLUTIONS

This project presented ECS Midwest with a unique situation. Tri-Central Schools consists of three schools — Tri-Central High School, Tri-Central Middle School, and Tri-Central Elementary School — all contained within a single building. However, although the schools are housed in one contiguous structure, there were two separate building systems, one for the high school and another for the elementary and middle schools.

Needless to say, this resulted in various inefficiencies. Since all of the classrooms had separate sources for heating and cooling, and multiple sources of ventilation, it was very difficult to control temperature and humidity. In fact, temperature data for the schools showed that industry practices generally considered efficient, such as the use of night and weekend setback temperatures, were being applied inconsistently. Furthermore, relative humidity data indicated large swings in the rooms’ humidity.

To resolve these issues, ECS Midwest drew on its extensive expertise and internal resources to self-perform all of the work necessary to replace a complicated array of heating and air conditioning equipment with a system that incorporates the latest energy-efficiency solutions and is much easier to manage.

For all of the schools, ECS Midwest installed a four-pipe, variable air volume (VAV) HVAC system with high-efficiency boilers and chillers. To optimize performance, the company installed a direct digital control system incorporating energy-efficiency sequences and CO2 sensors that not only reduce utility expenses, but also improve indoor air quality and building comfort.

In addition, ECS Midwest eliminated the separate equipment serving each classroom in the elementary and middle schools by integrating the VAV system with a central station air handling unit. This eliminated multiple points of failure and greatly streamlined maintenance. ECS Midwest also upgraded the school’s potable water system to reduce energy consumption and costs while increasing water pressure.

For the high school, ECS Midwest enhanced the HVAC system with VAV devices and demand control ventilation. To help cool the gym, wrestling room, and weight room, the company installed a high-efficiency air-cooled chiller in parallel with the existing chiller.

ECS Midwest then commissioned the new systems and turned them over to the client, providing a sound start to years of high-performance operation, maximum occupant comfort and productivity, and ongoing cost savings.

BACKGROUND

Tri-Central Schools is located in Sharpesville, Indiana, about 45 miles north of Indianapolis. The system serves more than 1,000 students.

OPERATING COMPANY:
ECS Midwest

CLIENT:
Tri-Central Community Schools

CONTRACTOR:
ECS Midwest

PROJECT DURATION:
15 months

CONTRACT AMOUNT:
$5,188,916

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