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Harlingen CISD reports small drop in electricity use after HVAC upgrades; Reliant contract shields near-term rates
Summary
District energy staff presented the 2023–24 annual energy report showing about a 3% drop in electrical consumption systemwide compared with the prior year, attributed to AC upgrades, new controls, roof insulation and window films; staff noted an existing fixed‑rate contract with Reliant keeps rates low for several more years
Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District staff presented the district’s annual energy report for September 2023–August 2024 and said measured electrical consumption fell about 3% year over year after a series of efficiency projects.
The energy report showed systemwide energy usage declined from approximately 43.7 kilowatt‑hours per square foot to 42.6 kilowatt‑hours per square foot — roughly a 3% reduction — driven, staff said, by completed air‑conditioning upgrades, new digital building controls, added roof insulation and energy‑saving window film installations. The report breaks consumption and cost down by month and campus so staff can check anomalies and billing errors.
Staff said the district’s energy contract with Reliant was locked at about 3.5 cents per kilowatt‑hour on an eight‑year contract the district signed before the COVID‑era price spikes. "We're right in a very good, cheap rate," a presenter said, adding that if the contract were to be renewed today, market rates could be about 6½ to 7 cents and would roughly double the district’s energy budget from the current level.
Performance measures and context: The report includes per‑square‑foot consumption and cost trends going back a decade. Staff showed that per‑square‑foot kilowatt‑hours and cost have fallen as the district’s square footage grew during the bond program; cost per square foot was presented at about $14.55 in the most recent reporting year. Staff also noted summer usage dips when schools are not fully occupied and monthly variations tied to weather and construction schedules.
Campus highlights: Harlingen High School had higher initial usage in 2021 but declined after HVAC and control upgrades and re‑insulation work. The report flagged other campuses and explained spikes where enrollment or after‑school activities increase runtime — one presenter connected a spike at the School of Health Professions to higher enrollment and extra after‑school programming.
Why it matters: Staff said the efficiency gains and the favorable contract buy time for the district and provide an opportunity to plan for a future contract renewal: if market prices rise as forecast, the district’s energy costs could increase materially when the Reliant contract ends in roughly 3½ years.
Next steps: Staff will continue monthly monitoring, study billing anomalies at the campus level and complete remaining control and envelope upgrades. The energy manager who compiled the report will continue to provide periodic updates to the committee.
Ending: Committee members thanked staff for the report. Staff said ongoing capital and control improvements and the fixed‑rate energy contract are the primary reasons the district saw reduced consumption and stable near‑term costs.
