Texas school district enhances facility

The Jacksonville Independent School District (JISD) in Jacksonville, Texas, has implemented $1.3 million in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort, and efficiency at Jacksonville Middle School. The Energy Solutions division of TAC completed the work as a performance contract with the district. Because the project enables the district to reduce its energy consumption, the JISD will receive a $30,000 rebate from the local electric utility.

JISD officials recognized that the 124,000-sq-ft Jacksonville Middle School, which serves 672 students in this east Texas community, needed a major renovation. Problems included a failing roof, old mechanical equipment, and poor duct work, all of which led to comfort complaints. District officials also desired to maximize energy efficiency within the building since utility costs only seem to be increasing. They selected new air-conditioning units with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) and that offered the best IAQ by constantly managing CO 2 and humidity levels.

Performance contracting offers many long-term benefits for school districts, such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management, and environmental protection. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems maximize energy efficiency and generate utility savings, which help defray the costs of the facility improvements.

The work had to be done concurrently in order to be completed while the building was unoccupied. This required TAC and the roofing contractor to coordinate closely with each other as they replaced the air-conditioning equipment and installed the new roof respectively.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.