Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Energy Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reviews energy‑audit findings for library, wastewater and public facilities; considers Focus on Energy trade allies
Summary
Sustainability committee members reviewed an energy audit of existing village buildings, compared library usage with a nearby municipality and flagged opportunities (variable‑speed pumps, rooftop unit replacements) where Focus on Energy trade‑allies or rebates could lower long‑term costs.
The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee revisited an earlier energy audit on Jan. 22 and discussed whether the village should engage Focus on Energy for targeted reviews of aging systems at the library, wastewater treatment plant and other municipal facilities.
Nut graf: Committee members said the audit identified multiple energy‑saving opportunities — including variable‑speed pumps, rooftop unit upgrades and controls — and discussed whether the village should make focused investments, use available committee funds, or adopt procurement practices that prioritize higher‑efficiency options when equipment is replaced.
What members discussed
- Audit findings: The committee reviewed audit notes describing rooftop HVAC units at the library as standard efficiency while boilers are high efficiency. The audit noted continuously running pumps, some of which are not electronically controlled, as priorities for upgrades.
- Comparative data: Committee members reported an informal comparison of the Cross Plains library’s gas and electric use to Middleton’s library (similar building type). On a per‑square‑foot basis, Cross Plains’ gas usage varied year to year and in some seasons exceeded Middleton’s; committee members asked staff to investigate whether controls or boiler cycling issues explain the difference.
- Focus on Energy and trade allies: Members discussed Focus on Energy’s trade ally network — contractors that help secure rebates — and whether using such contractors or enrolling facilities in Focus on Energy programs could simplify rebate capture when replacements occur.
- Capital planning: The committee suggested the village consider formalizing energy guidance into the capital improvement process so replacement decisions (for boilers, rooftop units and pumps) incorporate efficiency tradeoffs and potential rebate opportunities rather than defaulting to lowest initial cost.
Next steps and responsibilities
Staff will follow up with department heads (library and public facilities) to confirm whether audit reports were shared with the relevant supervisors, and will ask Focus on Energy whether a targeted site visit or technical follow‑up would have a fee and whether committee or grant funds could pay for it. The committee proposed revisiting the audit recommendations during spring meetings when the public facilities director transition is complete.
Ending
Committee members emphasized that many of the audit recommendations are implemented when equipment reaches end of life and urged formal links between capital planning and energy evaluations to capture rebates and trade‑ally benefits.
