Shelby partners with Honeywell to transform infrastructure.

Shelby partners with Honeywell to transform infrastructure.

Tigers can breathe easier with improved energy efficiency, cost savings.

Tiger Pride is a presentation of Shelby Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.

SHELBY — Shelby Public Schools, which serves 1,400-plus students, sought to improve aging infrastructure systems; cut energy costs; and improve air flow across its four buildings. 

The district was faced with increased pressure on capital expenditures and an overall lack of funding. To make these necessary changes without shouldering the full expense of upgrades, the district pursued an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). Honeywell ultimately devised a plan to save the school district millions in utility costs and help students and staff breathe easier for years to come. 

“ In the end, these upgrades will create better educational environments for our students and teachers,” said Shelby Public Schools Superintendent Tim Reeves. “With these upgrades, our classrooms and learning spaces are better suited for teaching and learning.”

Honeywell’s upgrade plan will help the district reduce its utility costs by approximately 50 percent and generate over $2.75 million in savings over the course of 15 years. The district will also receive over $100,000 in utility company rebates. 

Shelby Superintendent Tim Reeves, center, with Honeywell officials.

After conducting its own audit of building and infrastructure needs, school officials determined that millions of dollars’ worth of energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades would be necessary to not only help their district address immediate needs across facilities, but to also help sell a critical future bond issue to taxpayers. Necessary infrastructure improvements that the school district identified include: upgrades to HVAC systems, boilers, chillers, lighting, building controls and more.

Superintendent Reeves began looking for creative financial solutions to help solve these problems with a long-term partner he could trust. The district turned to Honeywell as its Energy Service Company (ESCO) in order to help carry out upgrades across facilities, meet energy conservation demands, and improve the overall environment for students and staff. 

Honeywell conducted an investment-grade audit of the districts’ facilities and determined that intelligent building management technologies, including LED lighting, smart occupancy sensors and advanced building controls, could help the district revamp its aging infrastructure systems – all while driving greater energy and operational efficiencies.  

Honeywell devised a plan under the ESPC to implement smart occupancy sensors to control lighting and heating, ventilation and energy-efficient air conditioning equipment. Most importantly, boilers and chillers will be replaced throughout the district’s school buildings in order to better regulate temperature.

These upgrades also include CO2 sensors, which are expected to improve building air quality across the district and foster a more comfortable and productive atmosphere for students and faculty. Honeywell will lead other projects under the contract, including upgrading water conservation technologies and replacing the middle school gymnasium roof before painting the interior. 

Under the ESPC, all projects are funded by the resulting annual energy and operational  savings, which are also guaranteed by Honeywell – eliminating the need for any upfront investment by Shelby Public Schools. 

Upgraded boilers and chillers with CO2 sensors will help better regulate temperature and improve overall air quality and flow throughout the buildings. In turn, this creates a more comfortable and productive learning environment for both students and faculty.

Updated Energy Management System (EMS) will collect data from newly-installed Iot sensors on connected devices around the building, in order to more accurately control systems for comfort and efficiency.

Installed LED lighting solutions will drive greater energy savings and will help keep occupied rooms well-lit and comfortable.

Domestic hot water heater replacement will provide improved efficiency and help with the district’s water conservation efforts. 

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