In the first year of a 20-year energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with Johnson Controls, the city of Wilkes-Barre, Penn., saved $549,066, reports CitizensVoice.
The savings is $108,000 more than was projected by Johnson Controls. The city council approved a $5.9 million loan in 2012 to fund the upgrades. After interest, the loan will cost $8.2 million. Johnson Controls estimated upgrades would save about $11 million over the 20-year life of the contract, meaning the city should save about $2.8 million over that time.
A big chuck of the savings, about $222,000, came from upgrading the city’s street lights to LEDs.
Other upgrades included indoor lights, plumbing, replacements for hot water heaters and chillers, upgrades to ventilation systems and installation of solar panels at the Department of Public Works facility.
