Rockwood Projects to Save Thousands Annually After HVAC Upgrades

The Rockwood School District projects to save more than $9,700 annually after earning $90,764 in incentives from Ameren Missouri’s BizSavers program related to HVAC system upgrades completed over this past summer at Ellisville, Kehrs Mill and Uthoff Valley elementary schools.

These projects, provided by funds made available through the voter-approved Proposition 3 in November 2023, involved replacing the previous four-pipe systems at the three schools with new, more efficient rooftop units that are integrated into Rockwood’s districtwide building automation systems.

Ameren Missouri's BizSavers program offers several energy efficiency programs to help its commercial customers manage their energy use and reduce costs.

Ameren Missouri presented a ceremonial check representing Rockwood’s recent incentives to Chief Financial Officer Cyndee Byous, Director of Facilities Eric Nieman and Coordinator of Construction Projects Michael Schneider at the Dec. 4 Board of Education meeting and awards ceremony.

Nieman, Schneider and Patrick McCart, Rockwood coordinator of maintenance and grounds services, oversaw the summer HVAC projects.

“One of the highest priority uses of our Proposition 3 funds is the replacement of our HVAC systems throughout the district,” Byous said. “We are replacing our HVAC systems in partnership with Ameren, with systems designed to be more energy efficient for years to come.”

According to Ameren Missouri, through these HVAC upgrades at the three Rockwood schools, the district installed a total of 641 cooling tons - the equivalent of 183 residential homes - and saved 91,533 kilowatt-hours annually compared to minimum-efficiency equipment, the equivalent of taking nine homes off of the grid and not having them use electricity for the life of this equipment.

“We’re thrilled that BizSavers was able to provide Rockwood with long‑term value moving forward, including lower electric bills, more comfortable classrooms and resources redirected to their students,” said Kenny Blair, program supervisor of energy efficiency at Ameren Missouri.

The Rockwood Facilities Department has placed a longstanding emphasis on energy efficiency and fiscal responsibility. The district has earned more than $1.3 million in incentives from Ameren and Spire Energy since 2014 as well as saving more than $1.7 million in energy costs since 2018 thanks to retrocommissioning and controls upgrades projects on HVAC systems around the district.

For more information about Proposition 3 and planned upcoming priority safety, technology and facilities projects around the district, visit Prop3.rsdmo.org.