Third-grade teacher Vicki Anderson helps students with a science project in a classroom outfitted with new energy-efficient lighting.

Efficiency upgrades get high marks from students and staff at Chelan elementary school

Major heating and lighting improvements at the elementary school in Chelan are saving money and improving comfort.

Gone are the noisy, inefficient heat pumps and stagnant air. Gone are the irritating fluorescent lights that flicker, buzz and hum.

The only humming at Morgen Owings Elementary now is from school officials tickled with the improved environment and energy savings at the building. They’re singing the praises of PSF Mechanical, the Seattle contractor that worked through the summer to install the upgrades by the first day of school Sept. 5.

Morgen Owings Elementary School Principal Jeff Peck

Seattle-based PSF is an ESCO, or energy services company, pre-qualified by the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to work with K-12 schools.

An energy efficiency audit identified potential savings in HVAC and lighting at both the elementary school and middle/high school.  With help from PSF, the district secured  a state grant for $550,000. Chelan County PUD contributed $41,000 through its Resource$mart program and the school district paid the rest of the $1.1 million cost. 

The elementary school was treated to a complete upgrade of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and all new lighting. Chelan Middle/High School received new lighting only.  

The control center for Morgen Owings' new energy management system.

Energy savings at the two buildings is projected at 682,694 kilowatt hours per year — enough to power 31 Chelan County homes.

As part of the package, PSF guarantees that energy savings will occur. If savings projections aren’t reached, PSF agrees to pay the difference, said Dan Hering, business development manager for PSF.

More than 2,000 fluorescent lights were replaced at the two schools. At the elementary school, 52 new high-efficiency heat pumps were installed, air circulation equipment was upgraded, and “smart” controls were added. Thermostat set points now are controlled by a digital thermostat, central computer and network of “distributed intelligence” Hering said. Changes can be made remotely, and the building is monitored and metered for energy consumption.

Chelan Business Manager Scott Renick said if funds allow, a similar HVAC upgrade could occur at the middle/high school building.

Wenatchee High School is in line for a lighting retrofit this school year. Bryan Visscher, maintenance and operations supervisor, said lighting will be replaced throughout the building. Wenatchee is using Ameresco Quantum, another energy services company pre-qualified through the state energy program.

The high school project involves a complete overhaul of all lighting at a cost of about $650,000, Visscher said, with $255,000 covered by a state grant and $51,000 coming from the PUD’s Resource$mart energy efficiency program. The remainder will be paid by the school district.

Work will be done in the evenings beginning this fall and continuing through the spring. Projected energy savings is 858,085 kilowatt hours per year, or enough to power 39 homes.

Click here to view a graph showing early energy savings at Morgen Owings Elementary.

More information:
PSF Mechanical’s recap of the Chelan project

Superintendent of Public Instruction energy grants program

David Gerlach, left, from the Wenatchee Housing Rehabilitation Program, and Mark Wiser, Chelan PUD senior residential adviser, inspect new windows installed at a 1910 home on Kittitas Street.

Small improvements have added up to a big upgrade in comfort and efficiency in Francisca Martinez’s tiny home on Kittitas Street in Wenatchee.

With help from the city of Wenatchee’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, the 642-square-foot home has new ventilation fans and new energy-efficient windows and front door.

The house, built in 1910, had no ventilation. Wallboard in the bathroom and laundry room was falling apart from the humidity, said David Gerlach, housing program director. Dava Construction, a city contractor, installed fans, replaced the wallboard and extended pipes through the attic for improved ventilation. Energy-efficient vinyl-framed windows replaced single-pane, wood-framed glass. A new front door sealed the deal.

Francisca Martinez, center, with daughter Anna and son Mateo Lucero

Work was funded by a $5,000 housing program loan, with Chelan County PUD weatherization incentives covering a portion of the glass costs.

Martinez and her son, Mateo Lucero, said cold air in winter and warm air in summer used to come in around the windows and door. That’s gone now. The windows have also reduced street noise and made the home generally more comfortable, Martinez said.

Martinez is a fruit sorter at Northern Fruit. She has owned the home since 2005.

Federal tax credits are available to homeowners who make energy efficiency improvements or invest in solar energy systems.

If you’re starting to think ahead to filing your 2010 federal tax return, keep in mind that energy efficiency improvements made to your home this year may entitle you to a tax credit. Adding insulation and replacing windows — the two components of Chelan County PUD’s weatherization program — can put you in line for both the PUD rebate and federal tax credit.

The tax credit  for insulation and windows is for 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500. The home must be an existing home and your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify. The credit is for materials only; installation costs can’t be included. The credit expires Dec. 31, 2010.

Tax credit amounts for other measures vary as do expiration dates. Energy Star maintains a detailed listing of energy-efficiency measures that qualify and answers to frequently asked questions. It’s a good idea to consult your tax advisor as well.

The award-winning 'Barn' at Barn Beach Reserve in Leavenworth includes green features such as solar-heated water that radiates through the floor for winter heating.

If you haven’t been to Leavenworth lately, here’s a really good reason to go: Visit Barn Beach Reserve. 

The reserve spans eight acres overlooking and adjacent to the Wenatchee River.  A group of conservation-minded citizens established the reserve in 2002 to help protect the river ecosystem and, according to the Barn Beach website, “to promote the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the Greater Wenatchee Valley through educational programming and stewardship bridging environment, arts and cultural history.” 

Executive Director Jeff Parsons has been with Barn Beach since its inception in 2002.

This they do through exhibits, programs and community events along the river at the focal point of the reserve,  the 107-year-old River Haus, home to the Upper Valley Museum and Icicle Arts as well as Barn Beach Reserve. Jim White, senior energy services engineer for Chelan PUD, conducted an audit at the historic former home last month to recommend ways to save energy. 

That’s not necessary at “The Barn,” the  new, green-built education and environmental center constructed on the foundation of a 1960s-era home on the property. The facility features 

The century-old River Haus is home to Barn Beach Nature Center, Icicle Arts and the Upper Valley Museum at Leavenworth.

countertops made from recycled paper, low-VOC pressboard cabinets, recycled corrugated metal, and acoustic “cloud” ceiling panels made of remnants from a Hanes underwear factory. Solar energy is collected in two systems, one to heat the building and another to provide electricity. A simple, passive convection ventilation system operates in mild weather. In summer heat, cool air from a basement is circulated to the main floor of the 4,000-square foot building. 

The American Institute of Architects named “The Barn” one of the top 10 green building projects in the Northwest in 2009. 

If Barn Beach Executive Director Jeff Parsons isn’t there to show you around, interpretive signs can guide visitors through the building and its green attributes. 

The reserve is adjacent to the city park and Blackbird Island, a popular stop on Audubon’s Great Washington Birding Trail. Check out upcoming events at the reserve here.

Lake Chelan development first of its kind in county
A proposed development covering 270 acres on the south shore of Lake Chelan aims to combine energy-efficient housing with organic farming, commercial enterprise and, for good measure, a bit of “art and architecture.”

Two of the property owners, Dr. Bob Jankelson and Guy Evans, kicked off the permitting process for the proposed Tuscan Village during an open house at Tsillan Cellars winery on Oct. 22. Jankelson owns that winery, while Evans’ family owns and operates the neighboring Tunnel Hill winery as well as the organic Sunshine Farms and Market. They propose to create a harmonic blend of houses, condos, a resort, retail shops, vineyards and trails covering the rolling hills between the two wineries.

The developers are Jankelson, Fred Ross, Bob Hild, Andy Precht, and Guy, Luke and Denny Evans.  They have termed the rolling hills above the lake the “Golden Mile;” the development begins on the south side of Highway 97A about one mile from Lakeside and extends west one mile to the Pat & Mike’s store. The property includes four ownerships, all of which border the highway.

Conservation staff from Chelan County PUD attended the open house to provide information on energy efficiency and heating options, including the use of geothermal heating systems.

Referring to “thoughtless development” near Chelan, Jankelson told about 100 people at the open house, “We will make sure that that doesn’t happen here.” Tuscan Village, he said, will “combine environmental stewardship with culture, art and architecture.”

Mark Esvelt, of Esvelt Environmental Engineering in Spokane, said effluent will be turned into water for food crops, and grey water will be treated to reuse for drinking water.

Lee Smith, economist from Sun River, Ore., said an economic analysis indicates the project is viable. Residents and visitors at the proposed Tuscan Village could add some $12 million annually to the Chelan economy, he said.

The proposed project would include 956 residential units, including single- and multifamily homes and hotel rooms, more than 30 retail stores, 90 acres of agricultural operations and 42 acres of open space.

A draft environmental impact statement will be completed and published for public comment in mid-December. Comments are due to the Chelan County Planning Office by Jan. 30, 2009. A final decision on the Tuscan Village application is due in April.

Related links:
Chelan development touts green building (Wenatchee World)

Tuscan Village web site

Planned development application to Chelan County