Atlanta - Two years ago, Linc Mechanical installed a package of energy conservation services, bundled energy solutions (BES), to facilities at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga., to maximize energy efficiency and lower operation costs. The BES package included an upgrade to the heating, air conditioning and control units for on-campus facilities. LaGrange College is now the first college in the state to have three Energy Star dormitories on its campus.

The Energy Star program scores the energy performance of commercial and industrial facilities on a point system. Facilities achieving a score of 75 or higher are eligible for the award.

“We've worked with LaGrange to alleviate their operating problems, improve their learning conditions, and - best of all - reduce their energy usage, so we're very proud to have helped them become the first college in Georgia to qualify for this prestigious award,” said Todd Pierson, general manager at Linc Mechanical.

“We are pleased to be singled out for both our commitment to the environment and to the best housing for our students,” said Phyllis Whitney, executive vice president for administration at LaGrange College. “Having Georgia's first Energy Star residence halls on our campus reflects our drive to live out those commitments with our actions.”

Only 16 dormitories in the country, including LaGrange's three dorms, have received the Energy Star. To earn it, a professional engineer must perform an audit on a building. The engineer ensures that comfort and lighting levels are within necessary limits, and that ventilation rates reach an acceptable level.

“We have verified that LaGrange College is doing everything possible within its power to create an optimum living environment for its students,” commented Kevin Brown, director of technical solutions at Linc Mechanical. “These dormitories have proven that they are more energy efficient than most others in their peer group.”