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temperatures. This results in higher energy bills and potential repair costs. The <br />RTU’s are also not working at optimal levels due to the units being near the end <br />of their useful life. <br /> <br />An absolute necessity to utilizing any new HVAC system to the fullest extent <br />possible is to replace the current pneumatic controls as part of this project. The <br />NBCC’s current outdated pneumatic controls will be replaced with Direct Digital <br />Controls (DDC). DDC will allow greater control in various areas of NBCC. <br /> <br />One option that could be included to further improve indoor air quality is a system <br />called a Genesis Air. This piece of equipment uses ultra violet lamps to reduce <br />airborne contaminants and volatile organic compounds through a process called <br />Photo Catalytic Oxidation. This system is used in applications such as schools <br />and health care facilities or other facilities that draw large amounts of people. <br />The cost for this add on is $35,000 per RTU it is installed. <br /> <br />Because there is a desire to reduce the energy required to operate NBCC, <br />additional projects have been researched. These projects include upgrading the <br />lighting to Light Emitting Diodes (LED), building envelope repairs and the <br />potential for solar power. <br /> <br />LEDs are very attractive because they are more efficient than the current <br />fluorescent and Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) used at NBCC. This will <br />reduce the amount of energy necessary to operate NBCC and provide high <br />quality lighting. Another positive of LED upgrades is that the LEDs last longer <br />than tubes or CFLs. This will require less staff time to replace when they have <br />burned out. Another maintenance issue that will be resolved is it will no longer <br />be necessary to replace the ballasts to light fixtures, reducing both the equipment <br />cost and again staff time to perform this task. <br /> <br />The building envelope is defined as the physical separator between the interior <br />and exterior of the building. This is an important aspect of NBCC as it creates a <br />barrier that resists air, water, heat, light and noise from transferring between the <br />interior and exterior of the building. It will help reduce energy consumption by not <br />allowing warm or cool air to pass between the barriers and require the HVAC <br />system to condition the air. Staff does not recommend pursuing this option. <br /> <br />Solar power is the last option that has been researched. Solar power would <br />reduce the energy NBCC requires Xcel Energy to provide to operate the facility. <br />This would require solar panels to be installed on the roof of NBCC. There are <br />two different ways solar could be installed at NBCC. The first is through the <br />Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program (MiM). An application has already <br />been submitted for this as the deadline was February 28. The City could <br />certainly decline the award if it is determined solar power is not an option Council <br />would like to pursue. The MiM program has a cap of a 40 kW system. The <br />second option would be to install a larger solar field on the NBCC roof. To