Carlisle County Schools — Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract

In Brief: The Project at a Glance

• An aging and unreliable air-conditioning chiller at the high school gymnasium was nearing the end of its useful life, creating an urgent facility risk.
• Replacing the system outright would have required capital funds the district did not want to spend or did not have available.
• Rather than treating the chiller as a one-off repair, AFP worked with district leadership to evaluate energy use across the entire district.
• A comprehensive energy strategy was developed to fund the gymnasium replacement through guaranteed utility savings.
• The broader approach allowed additional facility improvements to be completed alongside the critical HVAC work.
• The project resolved a long-standing cooling issue, improved districtwide energy performance, reduced annual utility costs by roughly $70,000, and preserved the district’s bonding capacity.

Why We Were Called

Carlisle County Schools needed a reliable solution to a critical mechanical failure without disrupting long-term financial planning. The gymnasium chiller had become a known risk, and continued operation increased the likelihood of emergency repairs and unplanned downtime.

At the same time, rising utility costs across multiple buildings were placing steady pressure on the operating budget. The district wasn’t looking for cosmetic upgrades. They needed a way to address essential infrastructure while keeping capital funds available for educational priorities.

The goal was straightforward: fix the problem and make sure the solution paid for itself.

Key Achievements

• Replaced an unreliable gymnasium chiller without using capital funds
• Reduced districtwide utility expenditures by approximately $70,000 per year
• Improved HVAC reliability and performance across multiple facilities
• Enhanced classroom comfort and lighting quality
• Preserved the district’s bonding capacity
• Leveraged IRA Direct-Pay rebates for Energy Communities

Setting the Stage

The gymnasium cooling system was the most visible issue, but it wasn’t the only one. Like many rural school districts, Carlisle County was operating facilities with aging systems, rising maintenance demands, and energy use that exceeded what modern equipment should require.

Leadership understood that addressing a single failure without tackling broader inefficiencies would only delay future problems. Emergency repairs and escalating utility bills threatened to erode the district’s ability to plan and budget effectively.

The challenge was not simply replacing equipment, rather it was doing so in a way that improved overall performance while maintaining financial flexibility.

Our Approach

AFP began by working closely with district staff to evaluate energy use, system condition, and operational priorities across all facilities. While the immediate driver was the gymnasium chiller, data showed that a broader approach would deliver stronger and more reliable results.

By bundling multiple Energy Conservation Measures into a single Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract, AFP was able to create a funding structure where projected savings covered the cost of the improvements.

This approach allowed the district to:

• Address a critical HVAC failure
• Reduce ongoing energy waste
• Improve system reliability districtwide
• Avoid drawing on capital reserves

The result was a coordinated plan designed around performance, not short-term fixes.

The Work: Scope of Improvements

Gymnasium HVAC Replacement

• Removal and replacement of the aging chiller system
• Improved cooling reliability for a high-occupancy space
• Reduced risk of unplanned outages and emergency repairs

Districtwide HVAC Updates and Refurbishment

• Targeted system upgrades to improve efficiency and extend equipment life
• Performance improvements focused on reliability and operational consistency

Lighting and Controls

• LED interior and exterior lighting upgrades
• Improvements to the building automation and control system
• Better scheduling, reduced runtime, and improved energy management

Building Performance Enhancements

• Destratification fans installed in high-ceiling areas
• Thermal building envelope improvements to reduce heating and cooling losses

Solar PV Integration

• Comprehensive solar photovoltaic systems installed districtwide
• Use of IRA Direct-Pay incentives to maximize project value for the district

Results: Measured Impact

Districtwide Performance Improvements

• Improved energy efficiency across all facilities
• More stable indoor comfort in classrooms and shared spaces
• Reduced strain on mechanical systems

Operational and Financial Impact

• Approximately $69,921 in annual energy savings
• No impact to the district’s bonding capacity
• Lower long-term operational risk tied to aging equipment

These improvements didn’t just solve a mechanical problem—they gave the district predictable costs and a more resilient facility portfolio.

What’s Next?

With critical systems upgraded and energy performance improved, Carlisle County Schools now has a stronger foundation for long-term facility planning. The district can focus resources on students and staff rather than reacting to equipment failures.

The project established a model for addressing future infrastructure needs through performance-based solutions and ensuring that necessary improvements support, rather than strain, the district’s budget.