Municipal Projects

When considering a guaranteed energy savings contract for state or local government, consider the following factors:

• More than 40,000 square feet of floor area
• More than $40,000 in annual energy costs
• Aging buildings or equipment
• Recurring maintenance problems or high maintenance costs
• Comfort complaints
• Scarce budget resources
• Limited energy management expertise
• Too many demands on maintenance staff
• Old or failing HVAC equipment, controls, or lighting

State legislation in many states affords government entities the ability to negotiate for energy or water-related building improvements. This enabling legislation is a more attractive procurement option than the traditional process which requires low-bidder awards.

Our guaranteed energy savings contracts are self-funded and enable owners to choose best value products and equipment, including the selection of quality subcontractors. Building improvements can include products and services for HVAC systems and controls, lighting, windows, roofs, doors, plumbing, wastewater systems, life safety systems, and even renewable energy systems.

There are currently two primary financing options for organizations looking to utilize solar power for their facilities:

1. Direct Ownership: A public entity finances and owns the solar system outright
2. Third-Party Financing: Available in some states, an investor owns and operates the solar system but enters a contract with the organization for a predetermined electric rate.

Depending on the organization’s financial capacity, bonds, leases, and Power Purchase Agreements are the most viable vehicle to finance solar power.

In addition, Performance Services provides classroom learning grants with every solar project.

A comprehensive water meter replacement project not only benefits the water distribution system by creating a more efficient operation but allows a municipality to maintain the lowest possible water rates for Clients. In general, smart water meter replacement projects can provide:

• More accurate water usage data: Newer water meters can provide real-time water consumption data to both the utility and Clients.
• More accurate billing process: Hard water, debris, age, and deterioration can reduce the accuracy of analog meters over time, leading to lower measurements and the possibility of unbilled water use. With more precise meter readings, municipalities can bill more accurately.
• Increased revenue: Reducing the amount of unbilled water due to better distribution and more accurate meter readings can increase utility revenue.
• Reduced wear and tear: Real-time water consumption data can provide more proactive service in identifying and resolving issues and leaks.

Across decades of the life of any facility, an extra and avoidable expense of facility ownership is incurred through:

• Underperforming equipment
• Inefficient control programming sequences
• Expensive and time-consuming repair processes

To better control the cost of ownership, Performance Services addresses these issues, starting at the design and construction stage. We are not a manufacturer of equipment or tied to any single building automation system, so we can recommend equipment and controls platform based on high-performance standards. We write control system code ourselves to assure accuracy, energy efficiency and an optimal environment.

Our holistic and integrated approach to projects enables lower total cost of ownership for the life of the facility. Accurate controls and location-specific programming ensures environmental quality. Vendor independence means access to a wider pool of maintenance partners, allowing owner control, flexibility on future changes, service options, and lower total cost of ownership.

Water management can offer many benefits to state and local government. Some of these benefits include:

1. Reduced water and sewer costs: Low flow water conservation devices reduce water usage and costs as well as sewer costs.
2. Weather-based irrigation controls: This type of control system saves water usage and cost especially during the hot summer months.
3. Reduced energy usage: Low flow water devices reduce the amount of hot water used which, in turn, reduces the amount of energy used to heat the water.
4. Reduction of unbilled water: Replacing old, inaccurate water meters and distribution piping can result in increased revenues for the water district.
5. Wastewater treatment energy usage: Wastewater treatment plants are one of the largest users of energy within a city. Plant upgrades and aeration optimization can dramatically reduce energy usage and save money.

A comprehensive water meter replacement project not only benefits the water distribution system by creating a more efficient operation but allows a municipality to maintain the lowest possible water rates for Clients. In general, smart water meter replacement projects can provide:

• More accurate water usage data: Newer water meters can provide real-time water consumption data to both the utility and Clients.
• More accurate billing process: Hard water, debris, age, and deterioration can reduce the accuracy of analog meters over time, leading to lower measurements and the possibility of unbilled water use. With more precise meter readings, municipalities can bill more accurately.
• Increased revenue: Reducing the amount of unbilled water due to better distribution and more accurate meter readings can increase utility revenue.
• Reduced wear and tear: Real-time water consumption data can provide more proactive service in identifying and resolving issues and leaks.

As LED technology forges ahead, this alternative lighting solution continues to become an attractive retrofit option as the benefits of LEDs outweigh the potential for higher costs.

LEDs are becoming the energy efficient, high-quality lighting choice of schools, hospitals, and municipal buildings. LED’s main application as outdoor lighting provides:

• Extra security
• Increased efficiency
• Improved performance in any weather
• Little to no warm-up time for the fixtures
• Longer life-cycle (the average LED light has a general life expectancy of over 10 years if applied efficiently)