Transforming facilities management at Countryside Elementary School

Client’s objectives

In their quest for a transformative approach to facility management, Byron Center Public Schools had a clear vision. They aimed to redefine their facility operations, aligning them with contemporary needs and future-ready standards. These objectives were not just about enhancing current operations but also about setting a new benchmark in the domain of educational facility management.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamline facility management operations to enhance overall efficiency.
• Cost Optimization: Reduce operational expenses without compromising quality of services.
• Advanced Building Automation: Implement cutting-edge automation for optimal functionality.
• Sustainability: Minimize energy use and environmental impact, supporting sustainability goals.

The Solution

• Single Pane of Glass: KODE OS’s unified interface simplifies monitoring and control, improving management and operations.
• Faster Resolution with FDD: Our advanced Fault Detection & Diagnosis rapidly identifies and resolves system issues, minimizing downtime and boosting maintenance efficiency.
• Proactive Maintenance with Digital Commissioning: Digital Cx enables preventative maintenance and digital commissioning, ensuring peak system performance and longevity.
• Building BI: This feature offers visual insights into energy consumption and operations, aiding decision-making for energy optimization and sustainable practices.

Outcomes

• Operational Efficiency: Centralized control via “Single Pane of Glass” simplifies multi-system management. 
• Time Efficiency with FDD: Quick issue resolution and enhanced system reliability.
• Proactive Maintenance: Regular system assessments prevent unexpected failures and improve performance.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Building BI tool provides actionable insights for efficiency.
• Increased Energy Star Rating: Clients report improved Energy Star ratings, reflecting optimized energy use and sustainable practices.

“Kudos to KODE Labs! With their help, Byron Center Public Schools delved into our BMS Systems’ data analytics. The FFT diagnostics helped us identify issues with heat pumps, compressors, and more. We’ve optimized building start and shut down times for energy savings, discovered underperforming boilers, and look forward to continuing our partnership”

Doug Gallup, Director of Facilities, Byron Center Public Schools.

Results & impact

Proactive identification of heat pumps issues

KODE OS proactively identified hidden problems within the heart pumps and heat pump cycles, allowing for timely intervention and maintenance, thus preventing potential system failures.

Boiler water temperature monitoring

Continuous monitoring through KODE OS helped identify issues with the boiler water temperature, particularly the entering vs. leaving delta. This proactive identification enabled corrective measures to be implemented, ensuring optimal boiler performance.

Energy Star rating improvement

Leveraging the capabilities of KODE OS, the Energy Star rating for Countryside Elementary School in the Byron Center School District improved by over 24 points, showcasing the platform’s impact on energy efficiency.

Energy savings with optimizations

KODE’s implementation of Optimizations contributed to significant energy savings, reducing the runtime of equipment by 15 to 30%, especially during the off-season. This not only resulted in cost savings but also extended the lifespan of the equipment.

Root cause identification and operational policy implementation

KODE OS identified the root cause of HVAC problems, including excessive run times and cooling load on AHUs. The analysis revealed that doors were being left open during the late school semester. This insight prompted the operations team to implement a policy to keep doors closed, leading to energy savings and reduced wear on building equipment.

Final thoughts

The utilization of KODE OS at Countryside Elementary School within the Byron Center School District has demonstrated transformative benefits within just one year. From proactively identifying and addressing HVAC issues to achieving substantial energy savings and improving the Energy Star rating, KODE OS has proven to be an essential tool for elevating facilities management practices. The success at Countryside Elementary School sets a precedent for other schools within the Byron Center School District to adopt KODE OS and unlock similar advantages in operational efficiency, energy savings, and overall sustainability.