REDMOND — A combined energy audit involving the city of Redmond and Redmond Area Park and Recreation District has resulted in planned projects that are expected to yield an average of $125,000 in savings annually.

Both wanted to determine how much would be saved if upgrades and utility system changes were made in their buildings, but it wasn’t cost-effective for RAPRD to pay for an audit for the Cascade Swim Center alone.

“Because we’re such a small organization, we wouldn’t have been attractive to a company on our own,” said park district Executive Director Katie Hammer. “So we submitted a joint request for proposals for energy savings contracting, but the partnership ended there.”

Using information from the audit, both entities have authorized work aimed at improving the energy efficiencies in their facilities. Ameresco conducted the audit and will complete the work, which is expected to cost RAPRD $357,520 and Redmond $1.4 million.

Both agencies receive incentives from utilities in the form of rebates and energy buybacks to help offset the projects; Ameresco arranged financing, although the city is considering paying for some projects as they are completed.

Some of the individual projects are expected to see positive cash flow — the dollars saved in energy costs pay the loans — as soon as one year in. Repayment does not start until one year after the upgrades, allowing utility savings to accrue.

The biggest-ticket item in terms of project cost for the park district will yield the lowest return but was considered essential: The 25-year-old boiler at Cascade Swim Center, at the end of its lifespan, is being replaced with a more efficient model, Hammer said, a change expected to save $2,000 a year in energy costs.

The largest savings will come from replacement of the pool pump, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system improvements and a new pool cover, she said, with an estimated $12,000 savings annually. The new pump has variable settings, enabling staff to control the flow based on occupancy of the pool, instead of the former model, which pumped the same amount of water 24/7.

The energy improvements for RAPRD are being completed this month, while Cascade Swim Center is closed for maintenance. In addition to cleaning and painting, the park district is replacing its hot tub, which does not meet accessibility requirements. The replacement is unrelated to the energy projects. The swim center reopens in October.

Six city-owned buildings will receive energy upgrades this year. Work will begin after the city finalizes its financing plan for the projects, according to Jodi Burch, accounting manager. The most expensive project, budgeted for $881,092, will take place at Redmond Airport. It includes solar panels, lighting retrofits and HVAC improvements.

“They’ll be installing a new air system that will recirculate air when the airport isn’t busy, instead of bringing in air from outside when it’s not needed,” said Public Works Director Bill Duerden. The system works by monitoring the carbon dioxide in the airport’s interior, he said, measuring how many people are inside.

As with the Cascade Swim Center, the city is undertaking one improvement that will take some time to see positive cash flow. Redmond Senior Center’s HVAC system is eight years past is rated life, Duerden said, and needs replacement.

Other facilities receiving upgrades include the public works building, wastewater treatment plant and Juniper Golf Course. The Redmond police station was not included in the projects because it’s not expected the building will still house the police in 10 years because of overcrowding.

Overall, lighting retrofits in all of the buildings and parking areas are expected to result in more than 50 percent of the cost savings. Lights are being replaced with LED or high-efficiency fluorescent systems.

— Reporter: 541-548-2186,

lpugmire@bendbulletin.com