Massachusetts’ Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District expects to cut its annual energy bill by more than half in coming years.
According to the Taunton Gazette, Superintendent of Schools Anthony Azar said the district is anticipating that it will reduce its energy spending by 62%, or $564,000 annually, as a result of a performance contract signed with HVAC manufacturer Trane Inc. in 2015.
Last week, Trane presented the district with an Energy Efficiency Leader Award to recognize the $19 million in improvements made to its schools to make them both more energy efficient and comfortable for learning.
Azar said that improvements made to all of the district’s schools include the replacement of outdated boilers and HVAC systems, as well as the integration of a 1.2-megawatt solar photo-voltaic system.
New high-efficiency boilers at each school have the ability to burn biomass when oil and propane reserves run short.
According to the Taunton Gazette, the schools’ HVAC systems are all automated with an energy management system, which Azar said allows the facilities manager to address issues via smartphone when out-of-district.
Solar panels known as “carport canopies” have been added to the schools’ parking lots and a new smartphone-based monitoring application allows teachers, students and faculty to monitor energy savings in real-time, for educational and practical purposes.
Roofing and windows at two elementary schools were also replaced, and the damaged high school roof is currently being renovated in what is the final phase of improvement projects over more than three years.
