MASON, Ohio, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Mason High School's recently completed expansion takes advantage of energy efficient infrastructure systems, including an innovative ice storage system, projected to save the district more than $55,000 in annual energy costs and to pay the investment back in less than five years. The payback is accelerated by a $72,000 energy incentive from Duke Energy Corp., one of the largest electric power companies in the United States.
The building systems selected by the district were chosen for their ability to create high-performance classrooms and other spaces that optimize students' learning environments, increase faculty retention and help improve student test scores. The ice storage system creates and stores ice at night when electricity rates are reduced, and then uses it during the day to cool the building when electricity demand is at its highest.
Classroom conditions can actually affect student performance. A recent study in Educational Facility Planner Report found a direct correlation between classroom environmental conditions and student performance.
When the Mason City Schools Board of Education initiated the project in 2007 to expand the high school with more common spaces and 49 new classrooms, it was looking for energy efficient and environmentally responsible improvements that would also deliver financial and academic payback. The expansion accommodates larger incoming classes, and the project was financed so that it did not raise taxes.
"In this economy, it's more important than ever that we maximize energy efficiency while creating the best learning and teaching environment for our students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Kevin Bright, superintendent, Mason City Schools. "We're pleased that the selected infrastructure systems will save us money while addressing our environmental responsibilities."
Award for Energy Leadership to Honor Mason City School District
The Mason City School District will receive the "Trane Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award" for its sustainable energy and operational efficiency improvements. The award recognizes the importance of the upgrades and the district's commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
-- Details of the award presentation: Dave Savage, account manager, Trane, and Kevin Hubert, general manager, Trane, will present the award to Connie Yingling, president, Mason City Schools Board of Education, and fellow board members. -- The awards presentation will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the Harvard Room, Mason High School, 6100 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio. Energy Efficiency Drives Improvements
Administrators selected the ice storage system because ice storage reduces energy costs by shifting peak cooling loads to off-peak hours. Off-peak electricity is less expensive, and because the most efficient power plants are running during off-peak hours, there are substantial environmental benefits as well. Systems like this have been recognized for improving the reliability of the electricity grid by shifting peak cooling loads from periods of high demand to periods of low demand.
To help ensure that building systems are well-controlled and only used when school is in session, the district is also installing high-performance building controls and a new air handling system to evenly and efficiently move the cool air around the building.
About Mason City Schools
The Mason City School District ranks sixth out of more than 600 Ohio districts for overall academic performance. Mason City Schools earned 30 out of 30 standards on the 2008-09 State Report Card. This "perfect" score put the district in an elite category 10 years in a row. Mason City Schools educate over 11,000 students in an early childhood center (pre-K, K-first), two elementary schools (second-third), an intermediate campus (fourth-sixth), a middle school (seventh-eighth) and a high school (ninth-12th). All five eligible schools are recognized as Ohio Schools of Excellence, and have met adequate yearly progress in every category. Mason High school is a four-year public high school accredited by the North Central Association.
About Trane
Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit http://www.trane.com/.
Trane
CONTACT: Joan Schimml, +1-651-407-3897, joan.schimml@trane.com
Web Site: http://www.trane.com/
