The Culver Community Schools Corporation continues to look into potential energy savings upgrades. Last month, the school board heard a proposal from Performance Services. Last week, it was Trane’s turn.
Among other improvements, Trane representatives suggested some upgrades to the heating and cooling system. That would include refurbishing some existing chillers to like-new condition and tweaking the existing control system. They also suggested getting new boilers at the elementary school, and installing air conditioning in the middle/high school kitchen.
Like Performance Services, Trane recommended upgrading much of the school corporation’s lighting to LED technology and making repairs to the buildings’ roofs, as needed. All of that work is estimated to cost about $750,000, but would pay for itself within about eight years.
Trane also proposed the installation of solar panels, with the potential of using a lease agreement with a separate owner that, in turn, would be able to take advantage of investment tax credits. The school corporation would pay a fixed cost over a specified period.
Superintendent Karen Shuman said the school board will hold more work sessions over the next couple of months to compare the proposals and discuss possible options. She also mentioned the possibility of inviting officials from Culver Academies, which has recently installed a small educational solar array.
