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City of Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth improves city energy efficiency, saves money, and reduces emissions at city facilities
At a Glance
- 96 — Number of city buildings, comprising over four million square feet, to be upgraded and improved for greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
- $29 million — Amount of energy & water savings projected under a performance contract through the year 2025.
- 34% — Reduction in electricity consumption by Fort Worth’s municipal buildings.
The challenge: Make 96 city buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, without raising taxes to do it
Fort Worth, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Not only have population and commerce been increasing, but so has the cost of electricity and, therefore, the need to significantly improve the city’s energy efficiency by reducing energy usage. Two things not allowed to grow in Fort Worth are capital expenses and taxpayer burden. Nevertheless, the city needed to make substantial improvements to a large number of municipal buildings. Plus, Fort Worth wanted to comply with a state Senate bill that set a goal of a five percent reduction in annual electricity consumption in all municipal facilities by 2013. This was a tall order, even for a city as rugged and resilient as Fort Worth.
The solution: A multi-year, multi-phase program of energy efficiency upgrades
Fort Worth continued its pursuit of energy savings back in 2003 by working with Johnson Controls on energy efficiency improvements to City Hall and a few other municipal buildings. Based on the success of that first project, the city embarked on a four-phase collaboration with Johnson Controls that will run through 2025. The project includes energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades at municipal buildings and facilities in almost every department: from office buildings to libraries, and police stations to park and recreation facilities — even the Fort Worth Convention Center. 96 buildings comprising over four million square feet of space will be improved. Although Johnson Controls has worked with many municipalities on energy efficiency improvements, this is a project of unprecedented size and scope, including:
- Retrofitting lighting systems with more efficient equipment and controls
- Replacing old chillers and boilers with new high-efficiency equipment
- Upgrading to more energy-efficient air-conditioning systems and equipment
- Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures, flush-valves, aerators, and pedal-valves
- Converting old spray-head irrigation to drip-type systems
- Deploying the Metasys® building management system to monitor, control, and optimize building systems
To pay for many of these projects without increasing capital expenditures or taxpayer burden, Johnson Controls helped Fort Worth obtain financing from both the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Texas LoneSTAR program and municipal equipment lease-purchase agreements. Texas state law mandates that energy savings performance contract projects generate positive cash flow every year and pay for themselves. The guaranteed savings under this performance contract will more than cover the cost of the financing.
Results and benefits
The retrofits, upgrades and other improvements throughout the 96 municipal buildings will reduce electricity consumption by 34 percent. These projects are estimated to generate a total utility cost savings of $29 million by 2025. So far, the annual savings for this city program are exceeding the amount guaranteed under the performance contract.
Fort Worth is able to finance these projects without spending capital funds and without raising taxes. The city can invest its positive cash flow in other much-needed programs to better serve local residents and businesses.
The improvements to city buildings also help the environment by eliminating an estimated 19,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
Whether it’s creating a more livable, sustainable city; delivering better city services; or holding the line on taxes, Fort Worth is a city that works.
Learn more
Johnson Controls can work with you to achieve your government energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Contact us to learn how to make your buildings work more efficiently, sustainably and profitably, or try our operations and energy savings calculator today.
