East Central Alberta Catholic Schools (ECACS) in Wainwright, Alberta, will be working with Johnson Controls on district-wide infrastructure upgrades that are energy efficient.

In collaboration with the ECACS senior management team, Johnson Controls Performance Infrastructure leaders identified improvements to address the district’s deferred maintenance challenges through a 10-month project implementation phase of an Energy Savings Performance Contract.

At more than US$1 million, the self-funded project includes more than $40,000 in incentives and can be funded through utility savings for a payback of under 15 years. The energy efficient upgrades are expected to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 712 tonnes CO2, equivalent to carbon emissions from 1,656 barrels of oil. They include:

• LED lighting
• Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and controls system replacements
• Roof top units and furnace replacements
• Heating system piping revisions
• New flush valve urinals
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• New air-cooled chiller

“By improving our schools and classrooms, we have a direct hand in increasing student productivity and creating an ideal environment for all occupants, from students to teachers and staff,” said Charlie McCormack, superintendent of ECACS. “Our collaboration with Johnson Controls allows us to provide a more sustainable and efficient environment for years to come, without putting a burden on our financials.”

Replacing outdated systems with standardized control systems will allow facilities to operate from a single point of access, which will help the school district save on utility costs, become greener through GHG savings and spend more time educating students.

“By overseeing the project, Johnson Controls takes over the risk, and guarantees cost and energy savings for ECACS,” said Andrew Nartey, account executive at Johnson Controls. “Removing these burdens allows the school division and its faculty to concentrate on their main objective – students’ education.”