Pinal County is not just changing out equipment or replacing systems. Facilities Maintenance is taking a big-picture view and re-engineering systems to fit the current use, design and configuration of facilities for the maximum energy efficiency.

Facilities Maintenance oversees about 80 county-owned buildings representing about one million square feet used by County offices or leased for use by other governmental agencies.

“Facilities Maintenance’s first goal is the comfort and functionality of facilities both for employees and citizens who access services there. The second goal is energy savings,” says Mark Tucker.

Examples:
2000 – Building F was completely remodeled under a performance contract that earned the Governor’s Award for Energy Efficiency in 2001. The remodeling project involved:

• Installation of T-8 fluorescent lighting with more efficient electronic ballasts.
• Older air conditioning units were replaced with new, more efficient units.
• Air conditioners were fitted with computerized controls to cycle motors more efficiently for peak performance.
• Inefficient motors were replaced with high-efficiency models.
• New roof with more effective insulation.

“Actual energy savings is about 15 percent higher than projected,” reports Mark Tucker. “Over and above that is money saved on maintenance since newer equipment adds life and reduces repair times. We’re not stuck with 20 and 30 year old equipment that we’re nursing along for another season.”

The performance contract called for the construction and remodeling to save 15,000,000 kilowatt hours, representing roughly $1,220,000 in energy costs over a 10 year period. The project cost the county $933,000 and resulted in excess of $1.2 million in energy savings.

Applying this model to new projects and other buildings in the ensuing years has resulted in an average monthly energy savings of $29,762.

2001 – Adult Detention, Superior Courthouse, Administration Building, Health & Human Services, Public Fiduciary, Casa Grande Complex.

• Complete lighting retrofit, some fixtures removed, others fitted with reflectors to distribute more light with fewer lamps.
• Air conditioning equipment fitted with control systems to save energy when buildings are not in use and better control temps when they are in use.

2004 through 2005 – Administration & Sheriff’s Station, Health & Human Services, Public Fiduciary, Apache Junction Complex, Adult Detention, Casa Grande Complex, Superintendent of Schools, Juvenile Detention, Juvenile Probation.

• Numerous lighting retrofits, addition of occupancy sensors in several facilities.
• Air conditioners were fitted with computerized controls to cycle motors more efficiently for peak performance.
• Exit signs were retrofitted to more efficient LED technology, significantly extending the life of each sign while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.
• Boilers, chillers, cooling towers and other mechanical systems were modified or eliminated with the addition of new, more efficient technology.
• Exterior lighting changed to higher energy efficiency styles.
• Window film installed to reduce incoming heat loads on County buildings.

2006 – New jail has a complete water management system that limits shower times and the number of times toilets can be flushed leading to substantial water and energy savings.

2007 – The Coolidge Administration Building was remodeled through the CIP program. The savings to Pinal County taxpayers completely paid for the project. The main air conditioning equipment was changed out. The Facilities team took a look at the entire design of the facility and re-engineered the cooling system for peak efficiency.

• An 80 ton chiller was replaced with a high-efficiency 50 ton chiller.
• Thirteen (13) separate air handlers were replaced with five new ones.
• Pre-retrofit July 2006 electric bill was $3898. Post-retrofit July 2007 bill reflects a charge of $2344 or a savings of 40 percent.
• Pre-retrofit August 2006 bill was $3835. Post-retrofit August 2007 was $2453 reflecting a savings of 36 percent.
• Similar projects are completed or underway at Oracle, San Manuel, Kearny and Superior.

2008 and Beyond – Although the new Courthouse and Sheriff’s Administration Building are new and were build with energy efficiency in mind, new technology has already provided opportunities to apply more efficient technology to even the newest buildings.

Other initiatives:

• Taking out grass and converting to xeriscape for water savings.
• Stop using cooling towers. This cooling technique is water intensive and since sewer charges are based on water consumption, was driving up bills. In addition, hard water causes problems with cooling tower equipment leading to higher maintenance and replacement costs.
• All future County facilities will be built in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines.

Awards: Governor’s Award for Energy Savings in 2001 and again in 2004. These awards represent the highest level of achievement in energy savings.