Schmidt Associates, a full-service architecture and engineering firm based in Indianapolis (and a 2008 BD+CBest Firms to Work For winner), and Johnson Melloh, a mechanical contractor, have formed a new company called Energy Solutions by JMS. The two will share resources through the new company to design and construct energy-efficient systems.
Energy Solutions by JMS will target school districts, libraries and buildings owned by units of local government throughout the state of Indiana that are interested in energy- savings programs.
“Both participants involved in this new company have worked on energy-savings projects,” said Kurt Schneider of Johnson Melloh. “Energy Solutions by JMS brings together the experience base of both Schmidt Associates and Johnson Melloh, so building owners can access strategic leadership, HVAC experience and quality engineering all in one place rather than dealing with multiple vendors.”
Energy Solutions by JMS will offer: systems engineering; management of design-build projects; building optimization; certification for LEED, Energy Star and Green Globes; analysis for renewable resources; alternative funding assistance and 24-hour mechanical service.
“Most public and private entities that own a building are looking for ways to save money on energy costs,” said Ron Fisher, AIA, a Schmidt Associates principal. “Although guaranteed energy-savings contracts have been around since the mid-1990s, today’s procedural challenges to approve bond financing make energy-saving programs a more desirable way to accomplish facility upgrades. In looking for ways to serve clients better, we improved the energy-savings business model and packaged the services so the energy savings are clearly spelled out and the engineering is sound. Our goal is to optimize building systems over the long term to get the best result for the building owner.”
Schneider was a participant in creating and amending the legislation (SB 516) that created the guaranteed energy-savings program for Indiana.
“School districts and local governments are struggling to find ways to finance building upgrades given the current referendum law and new tax caps. An energy-savings contract project is a way to finance upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and make other energy-saving improvements without being subject to those restrictions. So many Indiana schools were built in the 1960s for the Baby Boomers and need to replace aging systems and equipment and become more energy efficient; we think there will be a big market for Energy Solutions by JMS.”
Energy Solutions by JMS will also help customers with the process of getting projects financed. “A variety of bond and stimulus funding mechanisms make these projects more feasible right now,” said Fisher.
According to a document from the Indiana Office of Energy Development, the U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical school district with 4,000 students pays over $400,000 on energy-related utilities each year. By using energy-efficient design improvements, the district could save over $100,000 annually, money that can be used to fund faculty positions, new equipment or additional improvements.
For larger school districts and government-owned buildings, the savings could be proportionately larger.
Both Johnson Melloh and Schmidt Associates will continue to serve clients individually as well as through Energy Solutions by JMS.
For more information call 317-275-1800.
