AISD receives rebate check from Xcel Energy

AISD and Xcel Energy are working together to find ways to use less power for an even greater output for campuses across Amarillo. /Marissa Lucero

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- A check presented to the Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) for more than $181,000 as an incentive to find ways to use less energy.

AISD and Xcel Energy are working together to find ways to use less power for an even greater output in campuses across Amarillo, and new high efficiency units seem to be the answer. This past summer the district spent $3.9 million replacing more than 500 heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.Another $100,000 to replace lighting units in itsschools.

"They can save a lot of kilowatt hours across the year something like 700,000 kilowatt hours," Xcel Spokesperson Wes Reeves said.

AISD made upgrades to 18 different campuses in Amarillo; some received new HVAC systems, some new lighting systems and others received a combination of the two. AISD Chief Financial Officer Les Hoyt said voters in May 2013 passed the bond program that included the replacement of the HVAC systems. The funds to replace the lighting units are being figured into the districts budget.

"The initial reasons for the HVAC replacements were because they were getting old," Hoyt said. "They were becoming a maintenance issue and some of the parts were becoming obsolete."

According to Hoyt the district plans to spend nearly $17 million total in HVAC replacements, while saving up to $10,000 each month onthe current electricity bill.

"We're trying to get the most efficient lighting and HVAC systems into our school, but it's taking years to do it," Hoyt said.

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AISD receives rebate check from Xcel Energy