PowerED Program Maximizes Efficiency and Savings

The Puyallup School District’s powerED Program is dedicated to maximizing efficiency and utility cost savings for energy and water through low and no-cost opportunities. This report shares the latest utility use data and highlights recent efforts. 

Program Highlights for May: 

• Equipment Faults Identified: 
  • In June, McKinstry identified 25 pieces of equipment showing various faults causing improper operation or continuous running. 
  • Nearly all faults were identified using Reveal Analytics. 
  • PSD HVAC technicians and building automation vendors are addressing these issues. 
• HVAC System Modifications: 
  • The PSD Operations team began modifying HVAC systems in December 2023, reducing excessive equipment runtime. 
  • Adjustments included schedule changes, equipment programming modifications, and physical repairs. 
  • From January through May 2024, electrical consumption decreased by 6.5%, and natural gas usage decreased by 13.2% compared to the same period the previous year (weather-normalized). 
• Rogers High School Energy Savings: 
  • Tacoma Public Utility reported in June that Rogers HS achieved 178% of its year-one savings goal for electrical consumption, targeting a 2% reduction. 
  • Continued savings opportunities and planned capital improvements are expected to enhance future savings. 
• Summer HVAC Programming: 
  • McKinstry, PSD Operations team, and Building Automation System vendor JCI are testing HVAC system programming modifications to reduce electric consumption during summer operations. 
  • Five schools are currently undergoing test programming, with plans to expand pending test results. 

Addressing Broader Challenges and Goals: 

The Puyallup School District is actively addressing complex school infrastructure upgrades, sustainability, energy management goals, and compliance with the Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). Given historical underfunding, many districts, including Puyallup, have had to prioritize classroom spending over maintenance, leading to a backlog of deferred maintenance. External factors such as student safety, equity, and indoor air quality have also become focal points, especially as buildings age and utility costs rise. 

Upcoming Areas of Focus: 

• Continued HVAC Modifications: 
  • Ongoing programming modifications to HVAC systems during the summer aim to verify changes for future summer breaks without adverse effects. 
  • This long-term approach is intended to capture annual electrical savings. 
• Leveraging Analytical Tools: 
  • Continued use of Reveal Analytical and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) tools to identify inefficient mechanical systems, especially cooling systems during warmer months. 
  • Testing analytical tools designed to identify cooling system faults. 
• Building Pressure Testing: 
  • Over the summer, McKinstry will be onsite at multiple locations to assist in testing building pressure and validate potential issues from HVAC programming changes. 

Future Focus Areas: 

Over the next few years, PSD will concentrate on three key areas of improvement: 

• Operational Improvements: 
  • Enhance operational practices to increase efficiency and sustainability. 
• Performance Tracking and Reporting: 
  • Improve tracking and reporting mechanisms for better performance insights. 
• Community Engagement and Education: 
  • Promote best practices and educate the school community on energy use and sustainability. 

These initiatives reflect the district's commitment to efficient energy use, cost savings, and sustainable operations, ensuring a better environment for students and staff while meeting compliance standards.  

For more information about Puyallup School District's PowerED initiative or to read the full progress report, visit our website at http://www.puyallupsd.org/energy.