ABM reports Phase 3 energy-performance work for Orange County Schools; lighting accounts for nearly 70% of projected savings

ABM representatives told the Orange County School Board on June 2 that Phase 3 of the district’s energy performance contract is on track and is projecting roughly $173,000 in energy savings for the first full performance year.

Brian Walker, an ABM presenter, described the measurement and verification approach the company is using and said the firm applied the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol using Option A (key-parameter measurement) for the retrofit measures. The measures listed for Phase 3 include lighting upgrades, water-conservation work, boiler controllers, HVAC upgrades and transformer replacements.

Walker said lighting accounts for almost 70% of Phase 3’s projected savings; water conservation represents roughly 12% of expected savings. He told the board the Phase 3 contract began in July 2023, installations ran from August 2023 to October 2024, and the Year 1 performance period runs November 2024 to October 2025.

"For year 1, which ends October of this year, we’re projecting over $173,000 in energy savings," Walker said. He added that because some lighting and water measures were completed during the installation period, the district realized an additional roughly $61,610 in savings that ABM will apply to Year 1 calculations.

Walker described ABM’s process: inventorying pre- and post-retrofit power, agreeing occupied-hour assumptions, sampling building performance, verifying set points and schedules for HVAC, and obtaining sign-offs for each energy conservation measure (ECM). He said Option A provides protection against overestimating savings if parts of a building are vacated or used differently than assumed.

Board members asked about the history of the performance contracts; staff described Phase 1 as early LED retrofits and Phase 2 as work at Locust Grove Elementary after it returned to use. Walker and staff explained Phase 3 included a full overhaul of the Gordon Barber HVAC system and replacement of degraded two-pipe systems in older buildings with variable-refrigerant systems where appropriate.

ABM said the project has been largely successful and that ABM will continue annual verification visits and coordination with school staff when building operations change. Board members acknowledged cost avoidance, reduced utility spending and operational improvements.

No board vote was required on the update; staff presented the information and invited questions.