John W. Danforth Co. Completes Energy Performance Upgrades for Erie County

BUFFALO, NY — John W. Danforth Company, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast, is celebrating another substantial milestone in Erie County’s ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency in County facilities.

Danforth officials today presented Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz a check for $352,814, representing utility rebates associated with the second phase of a multi-year Energy Performance Contract. In addition to the utility rebates, the energy upgrades will generate $245,849 in annual energy and associated savings for Erie County, along with $500,000 in initial capital savings.

When combined with the Phase I improvements completed by Danforth last year, Erie County will realize more than $660,000 in annual cost savings, plus nearly $1 million in combined utility rebates through the Energy Performance Contract.

Improved Operational Performance

“Building transformations are not always the result of new construction, major expansions or dramatic renovation projects,” said Danforth President & COO Patrick W. McParlane. “The energy upgrades completed through this Energy Performance Contract have substantially transformed dozens of County facilities for the benefit of Erie County and its workforce, advancing the County’s vision for achieving improved operational performance and significant cost savings through energy efficiency.”

“Erie County has a large number of buildings and facilities that are older and require constant upkeep and maintenance, so participating in an Energy Performance Contract allows us to maximize our energy usage and minimize waste in lighting and heating them. This second phase of the Contract invested over $10 million in upgrades at thirty county locations and will generate nearly $250,000 annually in savings with additional thousands in energy rebates coming to Erie County,” said County Executive Poloncarz. “These energy savings defray the cost of maintaining these buildings while lowering the county’s overall energy footprint. This has been a wise investment and a good deal for county taxpayers.”

Phase II

Under the Energy Performance Contract, the upgrades will pay for themselves through energy savings, while also significantly reducing the amount of CO2 the County produces. The project’s second phase included over $10 million in energy upgrades and improvements at 30 County locations, including: the Rath Building, the Buffalo Convention Center, 120/134 West Eagle Street, the Public Safety Campus, the Weights and Measures Division, the Bureau of Forestry, the Alden Firing Range, the Lancaster Sign Shop, and several parks and recreation facilities, including Akron Falls Park, Chestnut Ridge Park, Como Lake Park, Ellicott Creek Park, Elma Meadows, Emery Park, Grover Cleveland Golf Course, Isle View Park, Sprague Brook Park, and Wendt Beach.

A highlight of the Phase II upgrades were the improvements made at 120-134 West Eagle Street, a 100-year-old building that houses several County departments, including the Board of Elections. The building had been heated via a steam plant located in the basement. The Danforth project team installed a Variable Refrigerant Flow system and replaced 350 windows, creating a more consistent, predictable, comfortable and easily-controlled temperature throughout the entire building.

Experience Pays Off

Erie County’s Energy Performance Contract builds on Danforth’s decade of experience and results in working with municipalities, school districts and organizations across New York on initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and reduce carbon footprint. The company’s 49 Energy Performance Contract projects across the state represent a combined value of more than $142 million, with $5,826,513 in combined annual energy savings for Danforth customers to date.

Founded in Buffalo in 1884, Danforth has more than 1,000 employees across a geographic footprint that includes its Western New York headquarters and operations in Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, New York, Columbus, Ohio, and Burlington, Vermont. The company works collaboratively with its union labor partners including the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers, and several other labor partners across many local union jurisdictions throughout the northeast and beyond.

To learn more, visit jwdanforth.com.