Potential Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Savings at the Dunbar Middle and Sims Elementary Schools

The O&M measures identified in these schools include turning off HVAC systems at night, turning off lights at night and installing motion sensors in the auditorium, gymnasium, and activity center. Both Dunbar and Sims had lighting retrofits, which were funded by the LoanSTAR program, completed in November, 1991. As part of the LoanSTAR program, the lighting electricity use, whole-building electricity use and gas consumption have been measured since September 1991. The measured utility energy cost, measured savings due to the lighting retrofit and projected savings of O&M measures are summarized in the following table. The results show lighting retrofit savings of $12,663 and potential annual O&M savings of $57,147 for these two schools, which accounts for 7% and 33%, respectively, of the total annual energy cost ($172,181) in 1992. Quite surprisingly, the O&M savings are about 5 times the LoanSTAR lighting retrofit savings in these two schools. Obviously, O&M measures should be given a high priority. However, it is recommended that the building operators carefully monitor comfort level and indoor air quality when the O&M measures are implemented to be sure that conditions are not compromised.This report presents the results of a study of the potential cost savings which may be achieved by improving operational and maintenance (O&M) practices at Dunbar Middle School and Sims Elementary School in the Fort Worth Independent School District. This report discusses the methodology used to identify the O&M measures and summarizes the potential savings of these measures