HomeMy Public PortalAboutNarrative.docxNARRATIVE REPORT:
We had two (2) energy audits performed by Georgia Power and The University of Georgia (attached) to identify potential improvements for a total of 36,610 square feet of city buildings
in Memorial Park.
We retrofitted the six (6) city buildings audited and have reduced total energy consumption for October – June from 342,202kWh in the 2008 base year to 214,824kWh in 2011-12, a net savings
of 37.2%. All energy savings resulting from the project compared to the base year of 2008 are being rolled into a revolving loan fund quarterly and this fund is dedicated to additional
improvements. The next phase will be a solar PV system at the YMCA. City Hall, the YMCA and Tybee Island Fire Department administration building had spray-foam insulation installed
in their roofs. All six buildings had 249 lighting fixtures with magnetic ballasts replaced with 239 systems with electronic ballasts and 720 T-12 lamps replaced with 700 T-8’s. We
applied for and received approximate a $13,000 rebate from Georgia Power for making these lighting improvements and added that money to the grant funds to expand the project.
A total of 25 Ecobee smart thermostats were installed in the six buildings and occupancy sensors were installed in every room where they were appropriate. An airlock was installed between
the basketball court and lobby/offices in the gym, eliminating the need to heat or cool the majority of space when the gym is not in use. A Big Ass ™ fan was installed in the city
hall auditorium which allows the thermostats to be set higher while achieving optimal comfort. We also partnered with Chatham County to build a 40-ton geothermal system shared by the
county library and Tybee City Hall. Since its ground-source heat pumps were installed in October 2011 the library’s energy use is down an average of 43%. The mechanical units for
city hall were installed in June 2012 and energy use for July 2012 was down 37.1% despite July being the hottest month on record.
The City organized two committees to reduce energy use, improve transportation, reduce solid waste, conserve water resources, manage stormwater, preserve green space and protect wildlife
habitats and corridors. The Green Team consists of a staff member from each department and focuses on city properties. They have developed a poster of best management practices in
seven areas to engage staff, residents and visitors in helping to achieve these goals. The posters are displayed at the entrances of all city buildings. The Community Resource Committee
consists of citizen and business volunteers and one city council liaison and is working toward an island-wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 20% by 2020.