North Shore School District Wins ASHRAE Engineering Excellence Award

Our work at North Shore School Energy Performance Contract (EPC) was awarded the 2024 New York Region’s Technology Award for Engineering Excellence for Institutional Existing Buildings from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This recognition highlights projects that successfully applied innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality and energy conservation.  

North Shore Central School EPC, located in Nassau County in Long Island sought a cost-effective air conditioning solution to improve classroom for its nearly 3,000 students. Ecosystem upgraded its outdated window AC units with Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Heat Pumps. This modern system, integrated with the Building Management System (BMS), improves cooling efficiency and can support future electrified heating. The project also addressed indoor air quality by adding MERV-13 filters.

The VRF systems are managed for optimal energy use and maintenance. Cost-effectively, the project adhered to an 18-year payback period under an EPC, including energy-efficient LED lighting, Variable Frequency Drives, and a rooftop solar system, reducing the district’s carbon footprint by 1,457 tons annually. 

“I am thrilled that the North Shore Schools EPC is getting the recognition it deserves,” said Project Manager Lucas Benjamin Taub. “The district chose to futureproof their classrooms with air-source heat pumps rather than a conventional A/C system with a rooftop solar PV system to offset the operational costs and more. Students and faculty will truly benefit from properly conditioned classrooms year-round!” 

The project required a $7.19 million investment and included guaranteed incentives totaling $51,859. It successfully achieved a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and is projected to generate annual savings of $396,850. This collaboration resulted in a cost-effective, energy-efficient air conditioning system that met the district’s needs and budget.