The Charlotte Energy Committee is glad that the School Board is planning to bring Charlotte Central School up to code in its “Bare Necessities Renovation Project.”    However, after meeting with the architect, engineering team, and School Board, we are concerned that the project scope still does not attain the optimum cost effective levels of energy efficiency. There are alternatives yet to be assessed which are better investments.

The proposed $2.8 million scope of work includes replacement of the failing unit ventilators in the 1969 wing. Unit ventilators are noisy, prone to maintenance issues, and are highly energy inefficient. They came to the market nearly a century ago and haven’t improved much since then. On the other hand, heat recovery systems provide fresh air to each classroom quietly and efficiently. Even though this approach could cost more initially, it would yield a better return on investment for Charlotte taxpayers because it would reduce energy use and reduce maintenance costs over the life of the equipment.

The project also includes replacement of the exterior skin of the 1949 wing including a new roof, exterior siding and windows. When replacing the building envelope it is possible to reduce the heat loss by 60-75%. This deep energy retrofit leads to lower energy costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and more comfortable buildings. However, there is no indication that the proposed works will accomplish these goals.

The proposed project focuses on bringing the building into compliance with current energy codes. Albeit an improvement, being code compliant is a bare minimum – it does not mean the building is energy efficient.   As CCS is the single largest energy user in town, it is in all of our interests to ensure CCS conserves and uses energy efficiently.

Investments in long-term building components – roof, exterior, windows and HVAC – need to be supported by sound analysis and planning to ensure that we are making the best possible investment for our children and the community.

We realize that the school building needs improvements but we recommend postponing the bond vote until energy improvements are prioritized in an energy plan and clearly delineated in the scope of this project.

Charlotte Energy Committee (Anne Bijur, Jennifer Chiodo, Dora Coates, Suzy Hodgson, Catherine Hughes, Sylvia Knight, Michelle Lussier, Hans Ohanian, David Pill, and Bob Wright)