To equitably modernize facilities district-wide and protect indoor air quality, all while supporting the City of Fredericksburg’s resolution to power 100% of municipal operations with renewable energy by 2035, school leaders needed an innovative way forward.
ABM’s custom energy savings project creates a projected $3.1 million in energy and operating cost savings over 15 years. In support of the city’s renewable energy resolution, upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems, plus other Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), reduce energy use across the district.
Improve learning environments
In addition to the savings used to improve learning environments for students and teachers, the project also helped the district procure a grant through the Clean School Bus Program to further support the city’s sustainability goals.
The project also helped the district procure a grant through the Clean School Bus Program
“We’re showing our students what leadership can accomplish for our community well-being,” said Dr. Matthew Eberhardt, Deputy Superintendent of FCPS (Fredericksburg City Public Schools). Projections of the annual positive environmental impact of the project note the energy savings would eliminate 2,031 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the equivalent of removing 442 cars or conserving 14 acres of forest each year.
Engaging learning environments
“As the city’s largest single consumer of electricity, diesel fuel, and natural gas, the school district’s reduced energy use greatly impacts the community’s decarbonization goals,” said Mark Hawkinson, President of ABM Technical Solutions.
“Our project creates that savings while helping Fredericksburg protect air quality and provide engaging learning environments for students across the district.” BENEFITS ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program enables school districts and other entities, like local governments, institutions of higher learning, and federal agencies, to invest in critical infrastructure needs and achieve sustainability, security, and resilience goals.
Helping fund improvements
The program drives costs out of operating budgets and redirects savings to critical needs
The program drives costs out of operating budgets and redirects savings to critical needs, helping fund improvements without upfront costs or tax increases.
Highlights of facility upgrades for FCPS, including two elementary schools, a middle school, high school, and pre-kindergarten facilities, include:
- LED lighting retrofits and replacements.
- Boiler and HVAC equipment replacements and upgrades.
- Water conservation measures.