Schools

Case Studies

Proven Performance Across the Platform

Real Results from Critical Facilities' Projects

Broadneck Elementary School

Anne Arundel County, MD

HVAC Controls

Modernizing an Aging School Building: Automated Solutions for Enhanced Comfort and Efficiency

EASI transformed Broadneck Elementary School’s outdated HVAC system into a modern, automated facility that reduced energy costs by 30% while significantly improving occupant comfort.

Challenge

Broadneck Elementary School’s 84,111-square-foot facility struggled with 20-year-old HVAC equipment and manual controls that led to inconsistent temperatures, frequent maintenance issues, and excessive energy costs. Staff regularly complained about uncomfortable classroom temperatures, while the maintenance team faced ongoing challenges with equipment failures and inefficient operations.

Analysis and Solution

After a comprehensive facility assessment, EASI identified that integrating modern automation controls with the existing equipment could provide immediate benefits without requiring a complete system replacement. We found opportunities to enhance control over gas heat, improve air distribution, and implement smart scheduling that would significantly reduce energy waste while extending equipment life.

EASI designed and implemented a customized Building Automation System that seamlessly integrated with the existing HVAC infrastructure. We installed new controllers and sensors, created a centralized management dashboard, and programmed intelligent scheduling based on occupancy patterns. Our team also provided comprehensive training to ensure facility staff could effectively manage the new system.

Results

Within the first year, Broadneck Elementary School achieved $37,500 in energy savings through a 30% reduction in energy costs. Temperature-related complaints dropped dramatically, and the automated system extended the life of existing HVAC equipment by 5-7 years.

Prince George’s County Public Schools

Prince George's County, MD

Energy Benchmarking

Revitalizing Building Performance: Optimization of Underutilized Systems

EASI transformed Prince Georges County Public Schools’ underperforming building automation systems through comprehensive retro-commissioning, reducing energy consumption by 20% and dramatically improving occupant comfort.

Challenge

Prince Georges County Public Schools had invested in modern HVAC equipment and automation systems, but these assets were severely underutilized since their initial installation. The buildings suffered from misaligned schedules, inconsistent temperatures, and significant energy waste. Without proper system performance insights, the facilities team struggled to identify and address the root causes of these ongoing issues.

Analysis and Solution

Through a detailed system audit, EASI discovered that despite having capable technology in place, the BAS was not properly configured to match actual building usage patterns. Based on these findings, we implemented a comprehensive retro-commissioning plan that included adjusting HVAC schedules to align with occupancy patterns, calibrating sensors and controllers for accurate readings, and optimizing temperature setpoints and ventilation rates. We enhanced the BAS with advanced reporting tools and dashboards while providing in-depth training to ensure the facilities team could maintain these improvements long-term.

Results

The retro-commissioning project delivered a 20% reduction in energy consumption, generating annual savings of $50,000 and reducing the district’s carbon footprint by 15%. Temperature-related complaints decreased by 90% as comfort conditions improved throughout the buildings. According to Jason Walker, the project was “transformative,” providing not only immediate improvements but also the tools and knowledge needed to maintain optimal system performance going forward.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Anne Arundel County, MD

Preventative Maintenance

Transforming School District Operations: A Proactive Approach to HVAC Maintenance

EASI implemented a comprehensive preventative maintenance program across Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ 134 buildings, significantly reducing emergency repairs and extending equipment life.

Challenge

Analysis and Solution

Anne Arundel County Public Schools faced mounting challenges with their aging HVAC systems, resulting in frequent breakdowns, soaring maintenance costs, and a constant stream of temperature-related complaints. The facilities team struggled to keep up with emergency repairs, creating a backlog of work orders that impacted their ability to handle other critical tasks. EASI partnered with AACPS’s Mechanical Systems Department to develop and execute a tailored preventative maintenance program. We established regular maintenance schedules for all HVAC equipment, implemented performance monitoring tools, and provided comprehensive staff training. The program included systematic inspections, proactive repairs, and detailed performance tracking to prevent potential issues before they escalated.

Results

The preventative maintenance program delivered transformative results across the school district. HVAC equipment lifespan increased by an average of 7 years, while work orders and emergency repairs decreased significantly.

Howard University

Washington, D.C.

Winter Emergency

Getting Critical Systems Back Online in Cold Snap

Challenge

Howard University, a leading university located in Washington, D.C., has over 12,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on a 257-acre campus with a complex network of hospital and student facilities. A central plant with eight boilers supports the entire campus.

Howard University’s students and patients rely on their complex HVAC system to remain operational. The university needed a partner to provide rapid-response emergency service during abnormally cold conditions in the winter of 2017. The cold snap caused numerous issues throughout their facilities, including failing boilers, gas valves that needed replacement, and pipes that were too damaged by the cold to distribute steam. Getting the hospitals back online was an urgent priority. Howard engaged ACI, and we quickly responded with top technicians and leading HVAC solutions to support the university’s critical systems.

Analysis and Solution

When both centrifugal chillers were operating, the 750-ton chiller return temperature was the same as the return secondary water temperature, but at the same time the return water temperature to the 400-ton chiller was at a lower mixed water temperature. This condition caused the 400-ton chiller to operate at a much lower percentage of design load than the 750-ton chiller. The York 400-ton constant speed centrifugal chiller runs inefficiently at low loads. If this chiller was variable speed, it would operate very efficiently at low loads. ACI was quick to respond with an ASME-certified team that mobilized eight self-contained 100HP high-pressure mobile boiler rooms to the job site. The team quickly identified the customer’s needs and recommended high-efficiency satellite boilers. Welder and apprentice crews were ready to provide re-tubing services at any hour.

Results

As a direct result of the quality service they received, Howard University engaged ACI long-term as a trusted partner that can be relied on to keep their complex facilities running. The temporary boilers and piping have since been replaced with permanent solutions, and ACI continues to provide routine maintenance and rapid-response emergency service as needed.