The Pinellas County (Fla.) school district has received a $260,000 rebate check from Progress Energy Florida to cover the first two phases of a three-phase energy-efficiency improvement program.
The improvements began in 2009 by upgrading lighting systems with fluorescent fixtures and installing occupancy sensors that automatically turn lights off when there is no one in the room. The rebate also covered the installation of more efficient HVAC chillers. The annual energy savings from this project are more than $900,000.
The district is working on phase three of the project, an extension of the lighting and HVAC upgrades. Officials estimate that when completed, the upgrades will save the school system about $1.5 million annually. Completion of phase three also will make the district eligible for another rebate from the utility estimated at $100,000, the district says.
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