HOUSTON (June 29, 2011) – Lone Star College System has partnered with Johnson Controls on a 20-year performance contract to save energy and water and cut operating costs – to the tune of $65 million in savings.

The 18-month construction process started in October 2009 and will run until until the end of this month. The college system is expected to receive $65 million in total guaranteed energy savings over the 20-year life of the contract.

Lone Star College used its own debt capacity and AAA bond rating to finance the $33 million project.  Johnson Controls’ role was to implement the improvements and guaranteed energy savings. Major facility improvement measures include:

·         Direct digital control of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting, automated by the building management systems, saving $557,000 per year.

·         Replacement of 40,000 lighting fixtures with high-efficiency fixtures, saving $1.2 million per year. 

·         Water conservation measures including plumbing system upgrades.

·         Retrofitting mechanical equipment.

·         Application of solar window film which will reduce cooling load on classrooms and office areas.

·         Power management controls on 98 vending machines to reduce idle energy use.

Results and benefits

The $65 million in total guaranteed energy savings over the 20-year life of the contract included efficiency improvements that are designed to save:

·         27 percent in electricity.

·         12 percent in natural gas.

·         28 percent in water resources.

Beyond saving money, the improvements will provide more comfortable environments for students and staff with consistent temperatures and better lighting.

The performance contract also helped Lone Star College expand the capacity of its May 2008 bond program for new construction and renovations.  Numerous projects that were originally part of the bond program were shifted to the performance contract allowing their related costs to be offset by the expected energy and operational savings and thus creating more capital dollars for construction projects.

With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for spring 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.

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