Edmonson Schools To Replace HVAC and Lighting With Energy Efficient Models

Project Made Possible In Part With Federal Funding

Darren Doyle, story:
CMTA Energy Solutions, a national leader in high performance building design and energy savings, has partnered with the Edmonson County School District on a guaranteed energy savings contract.The Edmonson County Board of Education entered into this agreement with CMTA at the December Board Meeting.

The total $6.3 million dollar investment is made possible in part with funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), which is part of the Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief, and is expected to save the school system over $150K annually in energy savings.

The majority of the work will take place, including all of the HVAC replacement at the High School and Middle School, during the summer.  New HVAC controls and bipolar ionization devices will be installed to help reduce certain viruses and bacteria in the air in air conditioning units district wide.  A lot of the kWh savings comes from installing over 8200 LED lamps and 1400 new LED fixtures district wide, and will encompass every facility in the school district.

This project will be headed by CMTA Energy Solutions Project Manager, Brian Duvall, who is a 1994 graduate of ECHS and originally from the Sunfish Community. 

"The Edmonson County School District is extremely excited to work with CMTA on this Guaranteed Energy Savings Project," said Edmonson County Superintendent of Schools Brian Alexander. "The financial savings our District will see from this project will benefit us for many years to come. I want to thank our Board Members for their foresight in entering into this project."

Callie Beliles, Facilities and Safety Director for Edmonson County Schools said the groundwork for the project began as far back as May, 2021.

"This will be a game changer for our Maintenance Department, headed by Lannie Deweese, as most of our HVAC equipment has exceeded its expected lifespan," she said. "With more efficient equipment and controls, we will see instant and significant savings, which will allow us to put tax payer dollars back into our classrooms. The new equipment will allow us to provide a cleaner environment for our children. The LED lighting upgrades will modernize our facilities, and create a brighter learning environment. It has been a pleasure to work with our local contractors in an effort to put money back into our local economy."

CMTA Construction Manager Kyle Larkin said he looks forward to a continued relationship with EC Schools as the project progresses.

"Of the many improvements that will be made, I think overhauling the HVAC Systems and modernizing light fixtures will not only have an obvious monetary, but a tangible benefit on morale as well," he said. "We also get to bring in a helicopter to replace rooftop units, which is always fun for the community to watch."