Albert Gallatin High School
Summary
The Albert Gallatin Area School District is located in the southwestern portion of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It is named after Albert Gallatin who was the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, planner of the Lewis and Clark expedition, engineer of the financial details of the Louisiana Purchase and founder of New York University. The district includes six elementary schools, two middle schools and one senior high school. The mission of the Albert Gallatin Area School District is to provide every student with a safe, supportive and collaborative environment to promote academic achievement and social growth in a global society.
Challenge
When Albert Gallatin High School was built in the early 1970s, air conditioning was not included. In order to enhance the comfort of students and staff, as well as improve academic performance, school administrators considered the addition of air conditioning at the school. However, improvements could only be made if financially viable.
Solution
Trane approached the Albert Gallatin High School superintendent and business manager with a solution to their comfort needs that would also allow the school to stay within its budget parameters. The comprehensive approach included an EarthWise™ Ice-Enhanced Air-Cooled chiller plant, fully integrated with the existing building controls, and updated lighting for considerable energy savings. The Trane team also suggested Trane Performance Contracting, which would allow the energy saving projections from the improvements to be used to finance the project under state funding through Pennsylvania (PA) Act 39. The school selected Trane as its energy savings performance contractor for the project.
Pre-engineered configuration reduces risk and cost
The sustainable, premium efficiency system uses a Trane
air-cooled scroll (CGAM) chiller, designed to be reliable and
efficient, and to operate at low sound levels for a quiet learning
environment. Tapping into Trane’s extensive application knowledge and
experience, the pre-engineered, standard configuration chiller reduces
risk, complexity and engineering costs. It also simplified
installation and commissioning, allowing the school to get the system
up and running prior to the onset of hot weather.
Ice storage shifts load to off-peak hours
Ice storage tanks help Albert Gallatin High School reduce
electrical consumption and energy costs, while managing peak demands.
The chiller builds ice at night during off-peak hours when electricity
costs are lower and the building is shut down. During the day, when
electricity costs are higher, the ice is used to provide cooling for
the building.
VAV system, LED lighting increase energy savings
The high school’s aging rooftop unit above the administrative
offices was replaced with a Trane rooftop variable air volume (VAV)
system. The unit varies the quantity of air delivered, maintaining the
desired temperature for the comfort of staff and providing energy
savings for the high school. The existing T-8 fluorescent lighting in
the high school’s gymnasium, hallways and building exterior was
upgraded with more energy efficient four-foot LED lamps. The cafeteria
lighting was also retrofitted with LEDs. The LED lighting increases
illumination, eliminating shadows and dark spots, and significantly
reduces the schools energy costs.
Fully-integrated controls system provides easy access
A Trane Tracer™ SC control system automates the air-cooled
chiller and ice plant, and is fully integrated through BACnet® with
the existing third-party vendor controls system. The intuitive,
web-based user interface of the Tracer SC allows building operators to
access their system from any personal computer that meets system
requirements, even from remote locations. The system is used to view
status reports, manage energy use, create scheduling, improve
efficiencies and provide consistent classroom comfort.
Service agreement helps maintain peak performance
A Trane service agreement helps to keep the school’s systems
running at peak performance. Regular maintenance by factory authorized
technicians helps ensure the equipment efficiency, reduces downtime
and allows the school to avoid costly emergency repairs. Trane
Intelligent Services (TIS) alarm notification provides constant
monitoring of system performance and real-time alerts to enable the
school to get back up and running quickly should a problem occur.
Results
Upgrades at Albert Gallatin High School, made possible by a Trane performance contracting agreement and state funding through PA Act 39, are expected to provide annual energy savings of nearly $50,000, representing a 20 percent reduction in total utility costs for the school. The exceptional energy savings is attributable to a high-efficiency Trane EarthWise™ Ice-Enhanced Air-Cooled chiller plant, automated by a fully integrated controls system, and LED lighting upgrades. The school’s service costs are also being reduced due to a service agreement with Trane Intelligent Services alarm notification. The improvements have created a more comfortable learning environment during warm weather, helping to improve student performance.
“The Trane team exceeded our expectations with prompt feedback in
all areas of concern, in a professional and timely manner,” said Carl
Bezjak, Albert Gallatin High School superintendent. “I would highly
recommend Trane to any business or school district seeking energy
upgrades.”
About Albert Gallatin High School
Trane Performance Contracting allowed Albert Gallatin High School to use energy saving projections to finance HVAC and controls upgrades under state funding through PA Act 39.
An ice storage system helps the high school reduce electricity consumption and manage peak demands.
