The InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) provides special education, instructional support, technology and administrative resources to 20 school districts across Morrow, Umatilla and Union counties.

Their headquarters in Pendleton, a former hospital built in the early 1960s, has long served as administrative offices for more than 100 staff. But after decades of use, the building was struggling to keep up. Costs were climbing, the HVAC system was failing and temperatures swung dramatically from room to room. Large sections of the attic lacked insulation, which led to broken pipes and major water damage during the winter.

Taking on the challenge
Enter Darrick Cope, IMESD’s facility director and a seasoned educator who has served as a teacher, dean of students and superintendent. During his 27 years in education, he’s helped pass two school bonds, led major renovations and mastered the inner workings of everything from boilers to electrical panels.

“As a superintendent, you deal with deferred maintenance all the time,” said Cope. “But I’ve come to enjoy facilities because you can see the results of your work because you fix something and it makes an immediate difference.”

With that same mindset, he set out to make the building more efficient, more comfortable and more affordable to operate.

Room-by-room comfort
His first priority was the HVAC system that left staff either freezing or sweating with no in-between.

“One person would be freezing, and another would be sweating down their back. That’s just how the zones were set up,” said Cope.

Replacing the central system would’ve cost $3.5 million. So instead, Cope partnered with a local contractor to find a more cost-effective solution and uncovered cash incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon to help make it possible.

With $21,400 in cash incentives for upgrades, IMESD installed 65 ductless heat pumps to serve individual offices. For the first time, staff had control over their own comfort and the building no longer depended on an aging central system. The result: yearly energy savings of $4,200 and zero complaints from staff.

Reducing heat loss
Next, Cope tackled the attic. Entire sections lacked insulation, which had caused freezing pipes and water damage in the past.

With an additional $9,200 in cash incentives, IMESD upgraded unprotected attic sections with high-efficiency insulation. The improvements not only prevent freeze damage, but they also help the building retain heat more effectively leading to nearly $7,000 in annual energy savings.

“Energy Trust did everything. I checked then signed some paperwork, gave them some numbers, and we got a check in the mail. Energy Trust’s support helped us get more done.” – Darrick Cope

Savings, comfort and a stronger future
The difference was immediate. HVAC repair costs, once thousands of dollars a year, have been reduced, while maintenance expenses decreased. “We’ve had zero complaints from staff once the ductless heat pumps were installed,” said Cope. “That’s unheard of in this building.”

And, with savings in hand, IMESD was able to reallocate funds towards other priorities, from safety improvements to new carpet.

For Cope, energy efficiency isn’t just about technology, it’s about being a responsible steward of resources. “The incentives meant we could tackle multiple problems at once,” he said. “We saved money, improved comfort, and set the building up for the future.”

Discover how your school facility can save energy and cut costs with support from Energy Trust. Visit www.energytrust.org/existingbuildings to view available cash incentives or email existingbuildings@energytrust.org to get started.