IRSC and Honeywell Partner on Campus Infrastructure Improvement to Reduce Water Use and Carbon Footprint

February 9, 2021 Suzanne Seldes

College to reinvest projected savings of $9.8 million over 10 years
to enhance students’ learning environments

FORT PIERCE, FL – Indian River State College (IRSC) and Honeywell (NYSE: HON), have launched a comprehensive infrastructure improvement project designed to increase energy efficiency across all five of IRSC’s campuses through a series of building upgrades. The improvements implemented through an Energy Savings Performance Contract are projected to reduce energy usage, water consumption and operational costs by at least $850,000 annually, or $9.8 million over 10 years, and will enhance the educational environment for students, visitors and staff through new lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls.

When the project is complete, the current College infrastructure will use 6.6 million fewer gallons of water a year, equivalent to 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It will also reduce its carbon footprint by 4,185 metric tons, equivalent to removing 883 cars from Florida roads.

“This project gives us the opportunity to both advance our sustainability ambitions and create a better learning environment for our community of students and staff, while also being good stewards of the public funding we receive,” said Sean Donahue, IRSC Dean of Facilities and Sustainability. “2020 was a challenging year for educational institutions, and like our peers, we have been working to reduce spending and conserve funds.”

In addition to making important progress towards its sustainability and financial goals, the project aims to increase student and staff comfort through a variety of building improvements. Upgrades include new, long-lasting indoor LED lighting; LED pedestrian and parking lot lighting; improvements to building HVAC systems, such as scheduled temperature adjustments during times of day when buildings aren’t in use; water conservation improvements; and installation of more efficient pumps and motors. The performance-based project was designed to provide rapid energy savings and return on investment.

Discussions between Honeywell and the College began in late 2019. Construction began in December 2020 and should be completed later this year. Future phases could be implemented that would increase conservation and cost savings.

“This project is a win-win for the college and the community,” said Jose Simon, vice president and general manager of projects for Honeywell Building Technologies. “Indian River State College is able to reduce operational costs, advance its sustainability efforts and create a more comfortable learning environment –all without upfront costs. We are proud to work with the College to help them achieve their goals.”

Honeywell has completed approximately 6,000 guaranteed efficiency projects around the world, and combined, this work is expected to decrease customers’ energy and operating costs by an estimated $6 billion.

About Indian River State College

A leader in education and innovation, Indian River State College transforms lives by offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education to the residents of Florida’s Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. IRSC is recipient of the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The College serves nearly 30,000 students annually and offers more than 100 programs leading to Bachelor’s degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas. Learn more at https://www.irsc.edu/.

About Honeywell Building Technologies

Honeywell Building Technologies (HBT) is a global business with more than 18,000 employees. HBT creates products, software and technologies found in more than 10 million buildings worldwide. Commercial building owners and operators use our technologies to help create safe, energy efficient, sustainable and productive facilities. For more news and information on Honeywell Building Technologies, visit http://www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.