The Londonderry School Board approved a $256,000 project to replace 14 aging transformers at Londonderry High School, with district officials projecting lower electricity use, reduced maintenance risk and about $19,500 in annual savings.
The board approved the purchase unanimously Tuesday. The district will pay about $112,000 upfront, while the rest of the project cost will be included in the school’s monthly electric bills to Eversource, according to staff presented to the board.
Projected energy savings
The high-efficiency transformers are expected to use about 18,000 kilowatt-hours per year, compared with just under 121,000 kilowatt-hours for the existing equipment. That would reduce the transformers’ electricity use to about 15% of the current level.
- Project cost: $256,000
- Initial district payment: about $112,000
- Estimated annual savings: about $19,500
- Existing equipment: about 40 years old
Joe Parzych, director of building and grounds at Londonderry High School, told the board that the projected reduction is roughly equal to the annual electricity consumption of 10 households. The district has been evaluating equipment upgrades as its utility expenses increase.
“We’re looking to explore district upgrades that not only upgrade our systems, but have significant energy savings, and when possible, reaching out to Eversource and other energy companies to see about rebates and financial assistance,” Parzych said.
Part of broader district work
Londonderry schools have made other energy-related changes in recent years. Staff installed new boilers and controls at the high school, middle school and South School. South School also was converted from heating oil to propane.
The transformer project is intended to address both operating costs and the age of the high school equipment. Parzych estimated that replacing a failed transformer unexpectedly would cost about $25,000 per unit. Replacing all 14 older units under emergency conditions would therefore represent a potential cost of about $350,000, based on that estimate, before considering any other work.
Board Chair Bob Slater encouraged district staff to continue looking for additional ways to reduce energy expenses. The approved work will replace the high school’s existing transformers with equipment that staff said would be more efficient and less vulnerable to failures.
