CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A comprehensive, self-funding energy efficiency makeover may be in store for the Bradley County school system.
Tuesday evening, the Bradley County Board of Education reviewed initial findings by Energy Systems Group, an energy performance consulting company that recently analyzed all the county’s school buildings and the administrative office.
Taking a systemwide approach to enhancing energy performance allows for combined energy savings to offset major investments in replacement equipment that would not necessarily see a quick payback if handled piecemeal, said Russ Nelson, business development manager for ESG.
The “nuts and bolts” of makeover projects revolves around lowering energy and operating costs, which basically comes down to replacing old equipment, Nelson said. However, it is not just about upgrading old air conditioning systems and replacing windows, he said.
“Our goal, first and foremost, is to enhance the learning environment in every space possible throughout the schools,” Nelson said. “If we don’t accomplish that, regardless of reducing costs and what not, we may not have really delivered the most successful project that we could.”