US$ 4.6 million in projected energy and operating cost savings empowered the Charleroi Area School District, a western Pennsylvania public school district to renew assets and improve indoor air quality for shared learning spaces.
After their immediate responses to COVID-19, many schools reassessed ventilation assets and started vetting plans to ensure healthy indoor air going forward. To green light a fiscally responsible solution, Charleroi Area School District (CASD) needed a way to overcome humidity and boiler issues interrupting learning without adding excessive burdens on community resources.
Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization technology
ABM’s custom solution created a projected US$ 4.6 million in energy and operating cost savings
ABM’s custom solution created a projected US$ 4.6 million in energy and operating cost savings. In addition to improved lighting, HVAC and building controls, the project added Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization technology, a pathogen and particle control measure for ventilation systems, to every facility.
Prioritizing healthy air and fiscal responsibility together after assessing CASD assets, operations, and goals, ABM technical experts were able to identify opportunities to improve facilities for students and teachers, while reducing energy and operating costs. By creating that savings, the project empowered CASD leadership to protect air quality and community resources going forward.
“Together we have been able to solve HVAC issues that have interrupted the learning process in the past,” said Dr. Ed Zelich, Superintendent of Charleroi Area School District, adding “Consequently, we’ve been able to obtain sustainable, efficient air quality improvements that are safeguarding our learning environments for the future.”
Energy Performance Contracting Program
ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program enables investment in indoor air quality (IAQ) for shared learning environments and community sustainability goals by driving costs out of operating budgets and redirecting savings to critical needs.
Facility upgrades included energy conservation measures for seven facilities across the district, including Charleroi Elementary Center, Charleroi High School, and the Sports Complex. Highlights of the project include:
- Replacing aging boilers and ventilation equipment
- Re-commissioning and optimizing HVAC systems
- Building automation system upgrades, including new sensors for monitoring IAQ
- Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization installations
- Installing water conservation upgrades
- Replacing high-efficiency transformers in electrical power distribution systems
- LED lighting upgrades
- Roofing and building envelope improvements