Since 2009, The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Salem has been a place where people come together to learn, play, connect and find support. From swimming lessons and fitness classes to youth programs and emergency shelter services, the 94,000-square-foot facility serves thousands of community members every year.
After almost 17 years of operation, keeping the facility running smoothly has become increasingly challenging. As Director of Facilities, Jeremy Clubb sees those challenges firsthand.
“Things are aging, and we’re increasingly coming across discontinued parts and systems,” said Clubb. “When something breaks, we look for opportunities to replace it with something more efficient.”
One project that had been on Clubb’s radar for several years was upgrading the facility’s building automation system. The Kroc Center’s previous controls system could manage HVAC equipment, but it required staff to make on-site adjustments and was difficult for others to use.
“It could do a lot, but it was very clunky and easy to mess up,” Clubb said. “If something needed an adjustment, I had to physically go make that adjustment myself.”
For projects like this, where standard energy-efficiency upgrades may not address a facility’s specific needs, Energy Trust offers custom incentives and technical support to help businesses and organizations identify opportunities and evaluate potential energy savings.
As a NW Natural customer, the Kroc Center was able to work with Energy Trust of Oregon on a custom direct digital controls (DDC) upgrade designed around the facility’s building systems and operational needs. Energy Trust’s technical experts helped evaluate the project and its energy-saving potential. The project received $100,800 in Energy Trust cash incentives and is expected to save approximately $27,300 in annual energy costs.
The new controls system gives staff remote access to building systems and greater visibility into equipment performance. Advanced monitoring also helps Clubb’s team identify potential issues before they lead to larger repairs.
“If an air conditioning compressor starts to fail, we’ll get alerts,” Clubb said. “That helps us catch problems sooner and keep systems operating efficiently.”
The upgrade has already delivered noticeable benefits. Clubb says comfort has improved throughout the facility for staff and visitors, while air quality in the pool area is better than before.
Those improvements support more than day-to-day building operations. Energy efficiency is closely connected to the Kroc Center’s mission of serving the community. The organization provides recreation programs, utility and rent assistance, food bank services and emergency response support. By reducing energy use and operating costs, the organization can direct more resources toward those programs and services.
“We have limited resources, so anytime we can save energy, it frees funds up for other places that need it. When you try to make that big of an impact, you need to be energy conscious and prioritize it.” – Jeremy Clubb
The controls project is one of several recent energy-efficiency improvements at the facility. The Kroc Center has also upgraded lighting, replaced pool ultraviolet systems and installed more efficient boilers. Future plans include exploring solar energy and electric vehicle charging opportunities.
Clubb encourages other organizations considering energy upgrades to start conversations with Energy Trust early. For custom projects in particular, involving Energy Trust during the planning stages can help organizations understand their options, evaluate potential savings and identify available incentives.
“Energy Trust has so many resources, even during the planning stages,” he said. “It would benefit any organization to start the conversation early.”
Interested in cash incentives for custom energy-saving upgrades? Learn more about getting started by visiting our custom incentives page or contact our team by emailing existingbuildings@energytrust.org.