Danville Independent — Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract

In Brief: The Project at a Glance

• Used GESC to address high school facility issues and improve long-term energy sustainability by replacing a 30-year-old boiler and fluid cooler, adding egress safety lighting, and installing solar PV systems on four facilities.
• Coordinating work alongside 13 other summer projects while avoiding disruption to the student learning environment.
• The district took a forward-thinking approach by leveraging IRS Investment Tax Credits for solar to help fund and offset facility improvements.

Why We Were Called

The district engaged AFP to address aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, and the need to modernize facilities without impacting capital budgets or bonding capacity. Critical systems, including a 30-year-old boiler and outdated HVAC equipment had become inefficient, costly to maintain, and unreliable, creating both financial and comfort challenges across multiple facilities.

At the same time, the district sought a forward-thinking approach to improve energy performance while leveraging federal solar incentives, such as IRS Investment Tax Credits and IRA Direct-Pay rebates, to help fund necessary upgrades.

They also needed a partner who could coordinate complex, multi-building improvements alongside other summer projects without disrupting the student learning environment.

Key Achievements

• Modernized aging infrastructure with high-efficiency HVAC, lighting, and solar upgrades across multiple facilities
• Delivered $83K in annual energy savings while improving comfort, reliability, and long-term cost stability
• Leveraged federal solar incentives to fund improvements without impacting capital budgets or bonding capacity
• Completed a complex, multi-site project on an accelerated timeline with zero disruption to students
• Advanced sustainability efforts, generating renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Setting the Stage

The project focused on replacing an outdated, high-maintenance boiler system, upgrading remaining fluorescent lighting to LED, and installing more efficient HVAC units to improve comfort at the Central Office while preserving bonding capacity for future projects.

There were no major constraints, aside from coordinating work around other ongoing district projects at the High School.

Early on, the client’s primary goal was to explore leveraging Government Solar ITC incentives to help fund HVAC improvements.

Our Approach

AFP’s approach stood out by leveraging the Purchase Pro’s Cooperative Purchasing program, which shortened the project development-to-contract timeline by 3 to 4 months. This accelerated schedule made it possible to complete all solar installations during summer break, followed by HVAC upgrades at the High School and Central Office over fall break, minimizing disruption to daily operations.

Consistent engineering, planning, and coordination efforts were key to maintaining this pace. AFP met with the Facilities Team every 1 to 2 weeks to plan installations, track progress, and communicate expectations with stakeholders, allowing the team to proactively navigate scheduling conflicts and keep the project on track.

While the project overall progressed smoothly, coordination with KU and the local utility occasionally presented challenges. These moments required flexibility and ongoing communication but ultimately did not impact the project’s successful delivery.

The Work: Scope of Improvements

Lighting and Controls

• LED interior and exterior lighting upgrades were implemented across Danville High School, Bus Garage, Mary Hogsett, Board Office, E.L. Toliver, and the Maintenance Building to improve energy efficiency, visibility, and overall lighting quality

Building Envelope Improvements

• Thermal envelope enhancements were completed at Danville High School, Bus Garage, Mary Hogsett, Board Office, and the Maintenance Building to reduce air leakage, improve insulation, and enhance indoor comfort and energy performance

HVAC System Upgrades and Replacements

• Major HVAC upgrades were completed at Danville High School, including cooling tower and boiler replacements with high-efficiency equipment to improve reliability and system performance
• HVAC system upgrades were also implemented at the Board Office to enhance overall system efficiency and occupant comfort

HVAC Rejuvenation and Optimization

• Existing HVAC units at Danville High School, Mary Hogsett, and the Board Office were rejuvenated to extend equipment life, improve reliability, and optimize system performance

Destratification and Air Distribution Enhancements

• Destratification fans were installed at Danville High School and in the E.L. Toliver gymnasium to improve air circulation, enhance comfort, and increase HVAC efficiency in large-volume spaces

Boiler System Upgrades

• Boiler upgrades were completed at Danville High School and Mark Hogsett to improve heating efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance

Solar PV Integration

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems were installed at Danville High School, Mary Hogsett, and the Board Office to offset energy consumption, reduce utility costs, and support long-term sustainability goals

Water and Utility Improvements

• A new irrigation meter was installed at the High School football field to qualify for sewer credit and reduce utility expenses associated with irrigation use

Results: Measured Impact

The project produced measurable operational and financial benefits for Danville Independent Schools.

• Annual energy savings of approximately $83,405
• Reduced maintenance risks associated with aging equipment
• Improved energy efficiency and building performance
• Stabilized operating costs and better long-term financial predictability
• Generated over 244 megawatt-hours of electricity since the solar arrays came online
  • Equivalent to powering approximately 34 average-sized homes for one year
  • Preventing 58 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere

What’s Next?

With the upgrades complete, the district’s focus now shifts to monitoring performance and maximizing energy savings to ensure long-term results. The success of solar installations also creates opportunities to expand renewable energy efforts as funding and incentives allow.

By preserving bonding capacity, the district is positioned to prioritize future facility improvements that support students, while continuing to enhance maintenance strategies to extend equipment life and maintain system performance.

Overall, the next step is simple: optimize current systems, build on proven successes, and plan strategically for future needs.