The city of Lufkin, Texas, is implementing $872,500 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency in seven city buildings
May 8, 2008 - Energy Efficiency
The city of Lufkin, Texas, is implementing $872,500 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency in seven city buildings.
The Energy Solutions division of TAC will complete the work on a performance contract with the city. TAC guarantees Lufkin will reduce its utility costs by more than $102,000 annually when it completes the project.
Lufkin was facing ever-increasing utility costs, and city officials wanted to lead by example in promoting green practices, such as energy efficiency. In addition, aging mechanical equipment in many facilities was not providing adequate occupant comfort.
“This performance contract with TAC allows the city of Lufkin to make essential improvements to our facilities,” says Paul Parker, Lufkin city manager. “Since we are trading the money we were spending on utilities to complete the work, the city’s overall budget will not be impacted to provide our employees with a more comfortable workplace. Furthermore, the city sets an excellent example of environmental concern and demonstrates that going green can be very cost effective.”
To reduce utility costs, save energy and improve comfort, TAC will install a variety of energy-conservation measures in seven city buildings with 134,392 square feet. A citywide lighting retrofit will replace inefficient fluorescent lights with longer-lasting, more efficient fixtures. A new energy-management system will allow city staff to monitor and control mechanical systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), at various city facilities from one workstation. The management system will streamline operations and maintenance, while providing precise control of indoor environmental conditions.
Lufkin City Hall will receive a central plant redesign that enables the energy-management system to operate more efficiently. This new design allows the central plant to operate independently or in conjunction with the police department’s HVAC systems. Systems will be optimized during after-work hours when the city hall portion of the building is closed but the police station still is occupied. TAC will modify multi-zone HVAC systems to variable-air-volume systems to improve efficiency and comfort. A new outside-air-intake unit at city hall also will improve indoor air quality and create a healthier environment for employees.
“Through this performance contract, the city of Lufkin will obtain the infrastructure improvements it needs without diverting funds from services for its citizens,” says Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “To provide enduring performance, TAC uncovers the causes of facility energy issues and focuses on diagnosis and education to ensure that each project minimizes the customer’s risk, while delivering relevant business value.”
