Sustainability and Energy Action Plan

BUILDINGS AND ENERGY GRANTS PASS SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY ACTION PLAN BE-1-3. Electrify Heating Systems As solar infrastructure is rolled out, both local and otherwise, the City should consider the cost-effectiveness and public health benefit of transitioning to electric systems for both building and water heating. BE-1-4. Automate Systems Automating the times that lights and HVAC systems are in operation can prevent energy waste. Grants Pass has already saved $9,000 annually in part through automation of lights and thermostat controls at City Hall.34 More City buildings could benefit from these same automation efforts. BE-1-5. Utilize Most Up -to-Date Facility Condition Assessment Findings Prioritize addressing Facility Condition Assessment deficiencies relating to energy - efficiency from the most recent Facility Condition Assessment . To jumpstart this effort, a list of specific energy -related deficiencies that were identified in the current 2022 Facility Condition Assessment prepared by MENG Analysis , is attached to this Plan (Appendix VII). BE-1-6. Investigate Opportunities to Improve Energy Efficiency Further This Plan addresses the energy inefficiencies that were known to its authors. However, a systematic evaluation of City facilities for energy inefficiencies is key to long -term energy and cost savings. The methods and scopes for such evaluations can vary. For example, energy walk -throughs can be conducted at no cost through Energy Trust of Oregon (Energy Trust ),35 pre-assessments of buildings could be made at no cost, or a full energy audit can be conducted to obtain the best possible information. Some method of energy evaluation should be conducted on a 3 - to 5-year cycle.Heat pumps are systems that convert electriCity into thermal energy. This is the technology used in the electrification of both building heating and water heating systems. For more on this, see Appendix ______. HVAC is shorthand for heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. 41