Hart County Schools’ Memorial Elementary School achieved a 66% reduction in energy usage as part of an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with CMTA. Our Energy Solutions team replaced the building’s aging boiler/tower HVAC system with a geothermal ground source heat pump system, strategically drilled beneath the school’s baseball field. Dedicated outside air units were also installed to enhance indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
This upgrade is part of a district-wide initiative to reduce emissions by 18,000 metric tons over 20 years. In its first year of operation, the project reduced the district’s energy use by approximately 1.9M kWh and 70k therms. In 20 years, the project will reduce energy use by 29M kWh and 1.1M therms, enabling $6.7 million in cost savings.
By leveraging federal grants and tax credits, the district made these improvements both financially viable and environmentally impactful. In December 2024, Hart County Schools received $793,078.71 in federal clean energy tax credits for the installation of the high-performance geothermal system at Memorial Elementary School—the first project in the state of Kentucky to receive this federal funding. This project highlights how the ESPC model empowers financially constrained public school districts to modernize infrastructure, create healthy learning environments, and achieve long-term cost savings.