BOULDER, Colo. – Broomfield Heights Middle School, the first of five schools in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to undergo a deep energy retrofit, is operating more efficiently than projected with annual cost avoidance of $19,000.
Last year, BVSD and McKinstry embarked on a sustainable energy program, aiming to reduce energy usage by half in five district facilities to reach net-zero capability. Net-zero capability is achieved when the amount of energy generated through on-site renewables is equal to or more than the energy consumed by building users. For Broomfield Heights Middle School, it is reached at a rate of 35.0 EUI (Energy Use Intensity), which is a measure of energy usage per square foot.
A $576.5-million bond, approved by voters in 2014, is funding many projects throughout the district including McKinstry’s, which include a mix of five deep energy retrofits, one recommissioning retrofit and six new-construction projects. The combined energy measures are expected to curb the district’s utility costs by $307,000 annually while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and the district’s carbon footprint.
The 107,750-square-foot, two-level Broomfield Heights Middle School, originally constructed in 1983, was projected to reduce its EUI from 60.7 to 43.4 in the first year of performance after facility improvements were implemented. Throughout the course of the first year, the building consumed less energy than predicted and ended the year with an EUI of 36.6, even with added air conditioning, improved ventilation rates, and increased total operating hours.
“We are thrilled to see these upgrades have exceeded expectations and out-performed predictions,” said Chris Meyer, Principal of Broomfield Heights Middle School. “The facility improvements not only help provide a healthier, more comfortable learning and working environment for students and faculty but also supports the district’s energy saving goals.”
McKinstry began work early in the development phase, beginning with an audit of the building to develop an energy model, which is used to predict building performance after the construction period. Facility improvement measures include building envelope upgrades, LED lighting upgrades, and an entire HVAC system retrofit that integrates chilled beams with heat recovery systems.
McKinstry used its Active Energy Management (AEM) program, which combines best-in-class technology with hands on building expertise. The program’s concerted deployment of monitoring-based technologies and on-site building system experts drive continuous operational improvements and eliminate waste in the buildings, while maintaining or enhancing occupant comfort.
“The dedicated team at Broomfield Heights Middle School and BVSD has had an immense impact on the results we’ve seen thus far,” said Greg Spalding, McKinstry commissioning manager for the Mountain region. “We are excited to continue partnering with BVSD and hope the success of these projects inspire other districts across the nation to follow suit.”
In addition to Broomfield Heights Middle School, McKinstry is the energy design consultant for energy retrofit projects at BVSD’s Boulder High School, Centaurus High School, Broomfield High School, Fairview High School and Platt Middle School. Construction is complete on Boulder High School and the facility will be undergoing AEM soon; Centaurus High School is in the second phase of construction with an estimated Fall 2018 completion; Broomfield High School is under construction with an estimated Fall 2018 completion; Fairview High School is currently in the design phase; and Platt Middle School’s energy retrofit is currently under construction.
McKinstry also recently performed energy design consulting in four other school facilities in the district, including Douglass Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, Emerald Elementary School, and Erie K-8. These schools will undergo the same AEM program that Broomfield Heights Middle School went through. A new transportation center is currently under construction while a central kitchen is currently in the design phase, which will serve all the district’s schools helping curb additional energy costs.