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Bathrooms undergo changes for energy efficiency
The Advocate
Eight Mt. Hood Community College bathrooms have been upgraded to become more energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing, according to Director of Facilities Management Dick Byers.
MHCC received a $3.85 million grant last spring to help with repairs. Among the repairs were the College Theater’s stage, the roofing on many of the buildings and the bathrooms. Byers said the total cost budgeted for bathroom repairs was $200,000, but that the money spent so far on the project was closer to $110,000. Any money not used will be allocated to other repairs, Byers said.
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“It’s not very often that the state gives out this kind of money, especially considering the economy, so we’ll definitely find a use for it,” said Byers.
The college also agreed to a $10.7 million loan from Johnson Controls Inc. to improve energy standards.
“Under the energy performance contract we signed, we’ve replaced the stool china, urinal china, sink faucets and flushing mechanisms across campus,” said Byers. “Last year, we were wasting a lot of money with flushes and faucet leaks.”
At last Monday’s all-staff meeting in the gym, President John Sygielski said that the improvements will allow the school to save more than $600,000 a year.
Current facility energy costs are at approximately $1.6 million, according to Byers
Byers said the loan allowed the college to pay for construction costs, and the money saved on utility costs – along with money received from the state in energy tax credits – allows the college to pay back the Johnson Controls loan on a “positive cash-flow basis” in 17 years.
MHCC rejected 13 other facility improvement loans because of “huge expense and long payback,” said Byers.
“The life of the products would not have outlasted the payback plans, so it would not have been useful,” said Byers.
The upgrades, which began late summer and finished up last weekend, were done to follow up with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, Byers said.
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