The E3 team was unanimously approved by the Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees to implement a district-wide energy-efficiency and conservation program at Mercedes Independent School District, located in the Rio Grande Valley. This comprehensive project, consisting of new HVAC systems, new lighting systems, energy management systems and water conservation measures, was funded by a Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) allocated by the Texas Education Agency and repaid with savings derived from the project.

The project helped the school district avoid costs of approximately $701,870 annually, totaling more than $14 million over the next 20 years. The project was completed in eight months.

The scope of the project included:

• • Major HVAC retrofits and replacements at Mercedes High School, Mercedes Junior High School, Travis Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Hinojosa Elementary, and Mercedes Early Childhood Center
  • District-wide energy management control system installation and upgrades.
  • District-wide lighting upgrades of more than 10,500 lighting fixtures
  • District-wide water conservation retrofits of more than 1,700 water fixtures
  • Retro-commissioning of district campuses
  • Behavioral modification training

IPMVP methods were used for guaranteeing the energy savings of $603,826. The water savings, small-energy-usage meters, and O&M savings totaled $78,021. Actual savings after year one of the guarantee period were $760,264, which was $156,437 over the annual guaranteed savings.