This project provides personalized on-site technical assistance to public schools, hospitals, colleges and universities, which includes:

• analysis of utility bills and other building information to determine energy and cost utilization indices of facilities;
  
  
• recommended maintenance procedures and capital energy retrofits; design and monitoring of customized procedures to control the run times of energy-using systems;
  
  
• informal on-site training for building operators and maintenance staff; follow-up visits to assist with the implementation of the recommendations and to determine savings associated with the project;
  
  
• development of an overall Energy Management Policy; and
  
  
• assistance with the development of guidelines for efficiency levels of future equipment purchases. 

Services include an analysis of systems for code and standard compliance in areas such as cooling system refrigerants used, outside air quality, and lighting illumination levels.

Viability of Commissioning in New School Construction
The Northside Independent School District (NISD) is conducting an in-depth case study in order to identify and quantify the benefits and savings of new school building commissioning in Texas.  NISD contracted with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) of the Texas A&M University System for the research work. 

The cornerstone for determining the true time/cost savings as it relates to this commissioning study is the selection of a baseline school which is representative of the facility to be designed.  NISD staff and TEES engineers are working together to select a suitable facility as a basis of comparison.  The overall project task has a “new building commissioning” phase during the design process of a new school and a “post study” after final construction and operation of the new school. 

The project includes: planning, design, construction, turnover, operation, baseline analysis, mechanical system modeling, simulation analysis and the full commissioning report.  Each stage of the commissioning process will be developed and analyzed in detail during this in-depth case study.

Preliminary Energy Assessment Service

Investing in our communities through improved energy efficiency in public buildings is a win-win opportunity for our communities and the state. Energy-efficient buildings reduce energy costs, increase available capital, spur economic growth, and improve working and living environments. The Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) Service provides a viable strategy to achieve these goals.

The Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) details recommendations for cost effective resource efficiency measures that could be implemented to reduce utility consumption and/or utility costs. SECO provides this service at no cost to the participating public entity.

PEA Service Agreement
This Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) is for public schools, colleges and non-profit hospitals. The PEA service agreement was formerally known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Texas ISDs & Hospitals PEA Reports

Partner Eligibility
The Energy Efficiency Partnership was originally designed for small to mid sized school Districts (50 campuses or less) in Texas. While providing this service to school Districts across Texas, we realized that the local governments, non-profit hospitals, and community colleges in Texas could use this same assistance. Effective January 1, 2000, we officially expanded the program to include local governments, non-profit hospitals and community colleges.

For more detailed information concerning this service, the steps to participation, and the current SECO contractors for the Partnerships Program read Partnership Services and Eligibility.

Energy and Cost Savings

Savings result from installing:

• energy efficient lamps and ballasts,
• high efficiency air conditioners,
• computerized energy management systems,
• energy efficient equipment, and
• more efficient maintenance and operation methods, such as:
  
  
  • turning off lights in unoccupied rooms,
  • changing out air filters on a regular basis,
  • keeping thermostat covers secure and in place,
  • and operating chillers to take maximum advantage of utility demand rates.

The Energy Efficient Partnership Service delivers on-site technical assistance to the Partners.  Partners pay no fee but agree to institute energy efficient maintenance and operation procedures and pursue financing for capital energy projects which yield a high return on investment.  

The service is delivered in two phases: utility bill analysis, and on-site inspection and follow up meetings and assistance.  Program deliverables include:

• individual energy performance assessments of each facility,
• energy saving maintenance and operation recommendations,
• identification of cost effective capital projects, and
• assistance in finding financing for these projects.

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