Knox County is expanding its study of the energy efficiency it began in 2005 when the County issued an extensive contract to Trane. The contract tasked Trane with analyzing each of the County’s facilities over time and to make real property improvements that would completely self-fund the work through utility cost savings the improvements would generate. Trane, a NAESCO-accredited Energy Services Contractor, began with an initial review of 10 County schools. That project includes $10,253,839 in real property improvements and guaranteed savings in excess of $700,000 in the first year of the guarantee period. Since the company began working with the County, Trane has become a real partner by supporting the Schools’ environmental educational efforts. In the last year, Trane's support included:
- Sponsoring a "light switch sticker contest" for K-12 students from November 2007 through February 2008 when Trane presented $1,000 US Savings Bonds to each of the three (3) student (elementary, middle and high school) winners.
- Being the primary participant in a February 2008 Career Day Fair for students.
- Providing a two-day internship for two KCS students at Trane's Knoxville offices in the May 2008 "Schooled for Success" program. The two students were exposed to "life in a Trane office", dealing with real scenarios and projects.
- Sponsoring a "Trane Energy & Earth Day Challenge" in the 2008-2009 school year that will be an energy- and environment-focused program with awards to winning students (or teams) and teachers.
As the result of Trane's efforts, Knox County Schools received an Honorable Mention in Governor Bredesen's May 2008 Environmental Stewardship Award.
In July 2008, Trane provided a "half-way" point update to the Knox County School Board, with five schools completed. At that time, Trane presented Energy Efficiency Awards to each of the school’s Principals and Board Members.
As part of the existing contract, in July the County directed Trane to provide the same energy/utility-based services to eight Knox County Sherriff's Office facilities and the remaining Knox County facilities along with and LEED assessments. Trane is currently coordinating site visits and accumulating data on the Sheriff'’s facilities.
