Energy efficiency project ‘off to good start’

The first update on the district-wide energy efficiency project for Acadia Parish schools was a glowing one from Chip Moore of Johnson Controls Inc.
“Overall, our project has gotten off to a good start,” he said. “I’m happy with the progress.”
Moore discussed the project’s work thus far in a report to the Acadia Parish School Board’s Budget and Finance Committee Wednesday night.
Moore explained that, as work has begun at some schools, it is moving at a quick pace. He reported substantial completion at Central Rayne Kindergarten in regards to both lights and controls, adding that work has begun and is running smoothly at Church Point High and Elementary schools.
“Today, we are 65 percent complete with lighting at Church Point High and at Church Point Elementary, and we’re approximately 25 percent completed with our controls at Church Point High,” he said.
From there, Johnson Controls will move onto Church Point Middle School and then the Iota-area schools.
Other projects have already also been wrapped up including the lighting work at Church Point High School’s football stadium. That work was completed by a local electrician – H&H Electric — according to Moore, who explained that, when they can, Johnson Controls has been subcontracting work out to local individuals.
“The key is the individual’s availability,” he said.
Considering school is underway now, Johnson Controls’ work is being done overnight, which has been a problem for some contractors’ availability. However, as work continues into the summer, more and more subcontracting will be able to occur.
“In terms of local sub-participation, that is really important to us, as I know it is to y’all,” said Moore. “As we’re going through each school, for example at Church Point High School, we’ve asked some of the custodians there who wanted to pick up some extra hours to work the night shift with us.”
The work is being done right now from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. to avoid school-time conflicts.
Looking ahead over the next 30 days, Moore explained to the committee that all lighting work should be done in the Church Point area as well as possibly controls at Church Point High School. He also stated that the server ordered for remote viewing of the schools’ energy information should be in, hopefully, by, mid-February.