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Long Island School Districts
400 buildings improved. $350 million saved. 476,000 students benefit.
At a Glance
- $350 million — Estimated combined savings in energy and operational costs for 60 of Long Island’s schools districts over 18 years.
- 25-35 percent — Average energy and operational savings for each building in these 60 districts as a result of energy efficiency and infrastructure improvements.
- $0 — Cost to Long Island taxpayers, as the improvements and upgrades are paid for by the savings generated from the projects under a performance contract.
The challenge: Improve learning environments at no cost to taxpayers
The top priority for Long Island’s 127 school districts is quality education for the more than 476,000 students they serve. One challenge the school districts face is that the average school building is more than 60 years old. They needed to renovate these aging facilities in order to improve learning environments and they had to do so without passing on any cost to the taxpayers. Johnson Controls is partnering with 60 of the 127 districts to create more energy efficient schools and reduce utility, operational and maintenance costs. These projects are designed to save the districts a combined $350 million over 18 years. Those savings will pay for the improvements so that taxpayers won’t have to.
The solution: A comprehensive program of energy efficiency improvements paid for with savings guaranteed by energy performance contracts
Johnson Controls has embarked on a wide range of energy efficiency improvements at more than 400 buildings and facilities throughout 60 Long Island school districts. The improvements include:
- High efficiency lighting
- Sensors that automatically turn lights on when classrooms and other spaces are occupied and off when they aren’t, to avoid unnecessary electricity consumption
- More efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment
- Deploying Metasys® building management system to monitor and control building systems for optimal efficiency while maintaining comfortable temperature and humidity throughout the schools
- Replacing doors, windows and roofs and adding insulation to prevent loss of heat or cooling and reduce energy consumption
Even some of the soft drink vending machines have been made more energy efficient with sensors that turn the machines’ compressors on when someone is in the vicinity and off at night when no one is in the building.
Johnson Controls is also helping schools engage their students in promoting energy efficiency through its ICE (Igniting Creative Energy) Challenge. The Johnson Controls program taps young people’s imagination and creativity by encouraging them to submit ideas on how to save energy and water and protect the environment. Those with the most promising and compelling ideas are invited to present them to national leaders and policy makers at the annual Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, DC. In addition to gaining recognition for themselves, their teachers and schools, these students may find one day that their ideas become widely adopted.
Results and benefits
Together, the 60 Long Island school districts are expected to save an estimated $350 million over 18-years under a series of performance contracts. The savings generated by these projects are guaranteed by Johnson Controls, and pay for the projects. So there is no cost to Long Island’s taxpayers.
Each renovated building in those districts will save, on average, 25 to 35 percent on energy and operations. And the students benefit from improved learning environments that help them perform better including comfortable temperatures, better lighting and improved indoor air quality.
Learn more
Johnson Controls can work with you to create more energy efficient schools in your district. Contact us to learn how to make your facilities work more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably, or try our operations and energy savings calculator today.