Replacing the Detention Center roof and switching to LED lighting is expected to save taxpayers more than 53-thousand dollars a year in energy savings. Sheriff Robert Arnold says the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office received a $130,241 grant to help pay for a new roof and replace fluorescent lights with LED lights resulting in annual energy savings. Total project cost is $325,602, requiring the county to provide a match of $174,481. Detention Center inmates will provide the nearly 20-thousand dollars worth of labor. Sheriff's Office Maj. Jacoby O'Gwynn applied for the grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Clean Tennessee Energy Grant program.
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"This state grant program recognized the need to replace the roof over the administrative offices and the 17-year-old Detention Center tower roof with a more efficient one," Sheriff Arnold said.
Administrative Chief Deputy Joe Russell said the LED lights are now being purchased and installed with inmate labor.
The grant was one of 21 projects awarded this summer by Gov. Bill Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau.
"These projects reduce emissions, increase energy efficiencies and reduce taxpayer costs and they highlight local efforts to improve the quality of life as we continue our work to make Tennessee the best place to live, work and raise a family," Haslam said.
Sheriff Arnold requested a facility wide energy audit in the fall of 2012 to identify cost savings associated with energy use. The Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service performed the audit, finding more than $86,000 in potential recurring cost savings. Some of the savings issues were resolved in last year's budget.
The roof and lights were identified as pressing issues by Sheriff Arnold. The new roof should generate an estimated $10,424 in annual energy savings.
"The roof will have to be replaced in the next two to three years so this grant award comes at a great time to save taxpayers' dollars," Sheriff Arnold said. "We are continually looking for ways to save taxpayers' money."
Replacing 3,149 fluorescent tube light bulbs, incandescent light bulbs and halogen bulbs with LED lights should result in an estimated $42,934 in annual energy savings.
Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be reduced with the use of LED lighting and the new roof. The new roof will save on energy usage and that will translate in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions as well.
Through the use of LED lighting technology, added R Value from roof insulation is expected to yield an annual savings of over $53,358.00 and reduce air emissions by the following: 954,056 pounds of carbon dioxide, 2262 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 717 pounds of Nitrogen Dioxide.
The Sheriff's Office will conserve energy through the added insulation in the roof, which will help stabilize the temperature and reduce the heat transfer out of the top of the building. The LED lights, with a five-year warranty, should provide energy savings.
"This project should improve air quality by eliminating the leaking roof and potential mold problems," Sheriff Arnold said.
Consultants from the Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service and the Center for Industrial Services are expected to work with the jail staff in the competitive bid process and project management. This is the first energy grant that Rutherford County has received since the program started three years ago.
