Evergreen Public Schools: Mill Plain Elementary School HVAC Upgrade
Background
Mill Plain Elementary school is one of 21 elementary schools in the Evergreen Public School District located in Vancouver, Washington. The 56,000 square foot facility serves 500 students in grades K-5. After an energy audit identified the school as the largest energy consumer in the District, the facility was selected to undergo a three month energy efficiency retrofit which is expected to result in an energy savings of 36% and $24,000.
Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, Evergreen Public Schools consists of 38 facilities comprising almost 3.6 million square feet of building space and serving over 27,000 students.
Solutions
The district commissioned an energy audit of the school which revealed several areas of inefficiency, including building controls and atmospheric dampers. The building contained a faulty pneumatic control system that caused the mechanical heating and cooling cycles to run simultaneously throughout the school year. The audit also revealed that many of the atmospheric dampers in the classrooms were 100% open at all times.
The following energy conservation measures were identified and implemented to improve the school’s system controls and dampers:
| Energy Conservation Measure |
Cost
|
Cost Savings
|
| Removal pneumatic HVAC control system and installation electronic controls | $220,000 | Est. $15,000 |
| Installation of variable frequency drives and high efficiency pumps to boiler system | $60,000 | Est. $3,000 |
| Installation of demand control ventilation to all air handlers | $45,000 | Est. $6,000 |
Other Benefits
In addition to the energy and cost savings of the project, improved indoor air quality, more consistent room temperatures and quieter educational spaces are also expected. These benefits will enhance the learning environment and are likely to increase student and staff attendance. The school anticipates deferred maintenance as a result of the reduction in boiler, chiller and air handler operational hours as well as an improved ENERGY STAR score.
Image Gallery
Mill Plain Elementary School Entrance
Variable Frequency Drives
