McKinstry has begun several preservation projects for Spokane Transit Authority (STA) that will save the agency a minimum of $131,000 a year in electricity and natural gas costs.
McKinstry conducted an energy audit of the transit authority’s three garages and identified multiple opportunities to create energy savings, such as incorporating more efficient HVAC, improved lighting and the addition of measurement and verification systems to monitor toxin levels in the air.
In addition to the energy cost savings, STA will receive a $547,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help offset the project’s costs. STA is also expected to receive $304,000 in rebates from the region’s utility service provider, Avista.
The work in the garage facilities includes new heating, ventilation units and energy-efficient LED lighting expected to last more than 15 years. Other projects will include ensuring diesel exhaust does not enter adjacent office space as well as a new control monitoring system to provide real time readings of nitrogen dioxide levels.
Construction has begun and will be complete in July 2015.
