Pinal Co Energy Efficiency Saves Over One Million

Since 1999 Pinal Co. Facilities Management has been on a mission: to find & eliminate energy wasting devices & replace with more efficient appliances. After 7 years-their mission has been an unparalleled success, but that doesn’t mean Facilities Management will stop & rest on their laurels. On a recent study of energy outlay costs, Pinal Co. has saved over $1.3 million-or an average of $29,762 a month.

The goal of saving money on energy costs began in 1999 when Facilities Management replaced 27 older Air Conditioning units with higher SEER units. The immediate result was a 40% increase in efficiency. Yearly, Pinal Co. saves $60,000 on A/C energy costs alone due to that upgrade.

Throughout the years, Facilities Management Director Mark Tucker has worked with Arizona Public Service in a performance contract to retrofit lighting devices in every County building.

While the County gets the equipment up front for free, APS is paid back with the money saved from the devices-money that would have been used in electrical costs.

“I’m glad the Supervisors have really been supportive of this partnership,” Tucker said. “We get the equipment without the capitol outlay & that means other departments are able to do more because we are not spending the money for these devices.”

Tucker said that looking at the overall picture, the County has 70% more office space than it did in 1997 & yet, with the energy savings from the upgrades & retrofitting- the energy bill is almost the same.

Most of the savings comes from improvements to the lighting fixtures. Just over $122.000 a year is saved by using lower wattage bulbs which use much less electricity. Tucker said that the lighting fixtures are relatively inexpensive to purchase, but the savings in kilowatts are greatest overall.

“We are always looking new & innovative ways to save money on our energy costs,” Tucker said. “We may be adding another component with APS to add even more savings to our energy budget.”

Since 2002 Pinal Co. has twice been the recipient of the Governor’s Award for energy efficiency beating out both Maricopa & Pima Counties.