Johnson Controls, Arkansas State University sign $15 million energy performance contract

Recent energy legislation enhances Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting program

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Feb 25, 2016, 09:00 ET

Several buildings on the Arkansas State University campus will undergo improvements to lighting, water conservation, HVAC and other systems, thanks to a new energy performance contract between A-State and Johnson Controls Inc.

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MILWAUKEE, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls and Arkansas State University have signed a $15 million energy performance contract that will dramatically advance the university's sustainability initiatives, including improvements to lighting, water conservation, waste management, energy management, HVAC and utility monitoring systems.

Recent energy legislation has enhanced the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting program, allowing Arkansas State and other educational institutions to benefit. Energy performance contracting is a financing mechanism used to pay for energy efficiency improvements, which are then paid back through annual energy and operational savings. The Arkansas State energy performance contract features a 20-year payback and operational savings – the first of its kind in the state of Arkansas.

"We're thrilled to be working with Johnson Controls to make significant upgrades to our energy infrastructure," said Dr. Charles L. Welch, president of the Arkansas State University System. "Those upgrades will benefit everyone in the Arkansas State community – students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and visitors to our campus."

The upgrades, scheduled for completion by Nov. 30, 2016, will include:

Lighting – Johnson Controls will install new LED lights and replace emergency lighting fixtures throughout campus.
Water conservation – Johnson Controls will either replace or retrofit plumbing fixtures, toilets, urinals, aerators on lavatory faucets and kitchen sinks, and showerheads with water-efficient fixtures and systems.
Waste management -- Johnson Controls will install four industrial-grade trash compactions systems, one each at the Convocation Center, Facilities Management building, Education and Communications building, and Centennial Bank football stadium.
Energy management – Johnson Controls will make various software, server, workstation and database improvements at more than a dozen facilities through campus.
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) – Johnson Controls will replace an aging chiller with an energy-efficient chiller at the IT Services building; replace three air-handling units with new units at the Education and Communications building; and replace two air-handling units with new units at the Lab Sciences East building.
Lab hood improvements - The Arkansas Bioscience Institute (ABI) building has several lab fume hoods whose operation is critical during experiments and research. The existing fume hood controls were failing and causing room pressure issues as well as excessive use of energy. Johnson Controls will replace the existing failed controls and sensors with new TSI lab controls. This will provide a safe environment for faculty and students as well as decrease the building's overall energy usage.
Utility monitoring – Johnson Controls will install an energy management platform that will provide real-time monitoring of electric power demand and consumption.

As part of the energy performance contract, Arkansas State will work closely with Johnson Controls and the Arkansas Energy Office to implement the upgrades. The office offers assistance to state agencies, institutions of higher learning, municipalities and counties through its seven-step energy performance contracting program.

"The Arkansas State project is setting the standard by which other energy performance contracts will be measured in the state," said Chet Howland, energy program manager for the Arkansas Energy Office. "We expect the project to have an economic impact of over $30 million with no upfront cost to Arkansas State, as guaranteed energy savings will pay for the project over the next two decades."

Johnson Controls helped establish energy performance contracting in 1983 and has implemented more than 3,000 energy performance contracts in North America alone, including many at four-year colleges and universities, technical colleges and community colleges. Some of the larger, more notable projects include Florida State University, Tulane University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

To learn more about Johnson Controls' expertise with energy performance contracting, visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/buildings/services-and-support/energy-and-efficiency-services/energy-performance-contracting

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 150,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and seating components and systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2015, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

About Johnson Controls' Building Efficiency

Johnson Controls' Building Efficiency has an unmatched portfolio of HVACR products and solutions to create more comfortable, safe and efficient buildings. Operating in more than 150 countries through a strong network of distribution channels, Building Efficiency's breadth of offerings help building owners, operators, engineers and consultants impact the full lifecycle of a building. Its market leadership is established through trusted brands such as YORK®, Sabroe® and Metasys® as well as its smart building integration capabilities and energy financing solutions. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow @JCI_BEnews.

About Arkansas State University

Focusing on its mission to educate leaders, enhance intellectual growth and enrich lives, Arkansas State University is the catalyst for progress in the Mid-South. Founded in 1909, A-State meets the challenges of continuing as a destination university for more than 13,000 students through the combination of world-class research with a long tradition of student-friendly instruction. The second largest university in Arkansas, Arkansas State is a doctoral-level national institution with more than 150 degrees areas of study, including a robust online program, and a diverse student body from across the nation and the world.