News and Articles
05/03/2007
Santa Fe County Breaks Ground on High Tech Energy Efficient Public Works Facility
Santa Fe – May 3, 2007 – On Wednesday, May 16th at 8:30 AM, Santa Fe County will break ground on
a new facility for their Public Works department. It is located on a 37-acre site along Highway 599
northwest of the intersection with Airport Road. The project consists of 3 major components: an office
building (10,680 sq. ft.), a vehicle maintenance building (13,650 sq. ft.), and a material and equipment
storage yard. A fuel station will be located outside of the secure yard fencing.
The facility will take advantage of state-of-the-art technology and design to be energy and cost
efficient. “This is a project that will save a great deal of energy and set the standard for other County
buildings” said Santa Fe County Commissioner Paul Campos. “Santa Fe County is now a leader in the
use of energy saving technology. In the long run, the County will save money and help preserve our air
quality.”
Below are the 5 main design and technological innovations the County will use in the construction of
the new Public Works facility.
IMPROVE TROMBE WALL PERFORMANCE
Description: Involves increasing the north-south spacing between the wings of the
administration building from sixteen feet to twenty-two feet, four inches.
Benefits: Reduces winter shading to improve the heat-gathering performance of the Trombe walls,
thereby reducing ongoing heating costs.
Incremental Cost: Approximately $29,200 ($2,343 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Ten to eleven years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 3.
IMPROVE INSULATION AND REDUCE AIR INFILTRATION
Description: Includes switching from fiberglass to cellulose insulation, revising certain framing details
Harry B. Montoya
Commissioner, District 1
Paul Campos
Commissioner, District 4
Virgina Vigil
Commissioner, District 2
Jack Sullivan
Commissioner, District 5
Michael D. Anaya
Commissioner, District 3
Roman Abeyta
County Manager
to eliminate thermal bypass, and recommending additional measures to reduce air infiltration and
improve the overall thermal performance of the building.
Benefits: Reduced heating and cooling loads, improved occupancy comfort.
Incremental Cost: $49,430 ($3,966 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Approximately 15 years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 12.
UPGRADED WINDOWS
Description: Involves specifying high-performance windows on the north side of the buildings. This
amounts to about 400 square-feet of windows on each of two buildings.
Benefits: Reduced heating load, greater occupant comfort.
Cost: $1,640 ($132 annually @ 5% for both buildings
Payback: 1-2 years, with positive cash flow beginning in the first year
REPLACE HOT-AIR HEATING WITH HYDRONIC HEATING
Description: Involves specifying a boiler-based heating system rather than the air-based system that is
currently planned. Heat from the boiler would be distributed via water-to-air heat exchange coils.
Benefits: Heating-fuel flexibility, energy security and potential to reduce energy costs if a local fuel is
used. This reduces vulnerability to fluctuating energy costs.
Cost: $412,500 ($33,100 annually @ 5%, plus an additional $10,000 annual O&M).
Payback: Approximately 17 years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 18.
INSTALL SOLAR HOT WATER HEATING FOR VEHICLE WASH
Description: Involves installing a solar hot water collection and storage system to provide hot water for
the Vehicle Wash facility.
Benefits: Reduced energy costs, improved energy security.
Cost: $8,500 per 2-collector system ($682 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Sixteen to seventeen years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 16.
a new facility for their Public Works department. It is located on a 37-acre site along Highway 599
northwest of the intersection with Airport Road. The project consists of 3 major components: an office
building (10,680 sq. ft.), a vehicle maintenance building (13,650 sq. ft.), and a material and equipment
storage yard. A fuel station will be located outside of the secure yard fencing.
The facility will take advantage of state-of-the-art technology and design to be energy and cost
efficient. “This is a project that will save a great deal of energy and set the standard for other County
buildings” said Santa Fe County Commissioner Paul Campos. “Santa Fe County is now a leader in the
use of energy saving technology. In the long run, the County will save money and help preserve our air
quality.”
Below are the 5 main design and technological innovations the County will use in the construction of
the new Public Works facility.
IMPROVE TROMBE WALL PERFORMANCE
Description: Involves increasing the north-south spacing between the wings of the
administration building from sixteen feet to twenty-two feet, four inches.
Benefits: Reduces winter shading to improve the heat-gathering performance of the Trombe walls,
thereby reducing ongoing heating costs.
Incremental Cost: Approximately $29,200 ($2,343 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Ten to eleven years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 3.
IMPROVE INSULATION AND REDUCE AIR INFILTRATION
Description: Includes switching from fiberglass to cellulose insulation, revising certain framing details
Harry B. Montoya
Commissioner, District 1
Paul Campos
Commissioner, District 4
Virgina Vigil
Commissioner, District 2
Jack Sullivan
Commissioner, District 5
Michael D. Anaya
Commissioner, District 3
Roman Abeyta
County Manager
to eliminate thermal bypass, and recommending additional measures to reduce air infiltration and
improve the overall thermal performance of the building.
Benefits: Reduced heating and cooling loads, improved occupancy comfort.
Incremental Cost: $49,430 ($3,966 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Approximately 15 years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 12.
UPGRADED WINDOWS
Description: Involves specifying high-performance windows on the north side of the buildings. This
amounts to about 400 square-feet of windows on each of two buildings.
Benefits: Reduced heating load, greater occupant comfort.
Cost: $1,640 ($132 annually @ 5% for both buildings
Payback: 1-2 years, with positive cash flow beginning in the first year
REPLACE HOT-AIR HEATING WITH HYDRONIC HEATING
Description: Involves specifying a boiler-based heating system rather than the air-based system that is
currently planned. Heat from the boiler would be distributed via water-to-air heat exchange coils.
Benefits: Heating-fuel flexibility, energy security and potential to reduce energy costs if a local fuel is
used. This reduces vulnerability to fluctuating energy costs.
Cost: $412,500 ($33,100 annually @ 5%, plus an additional $10,000 annual O&M).
Payback: Approximately 17 years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 18.
INSTALL SOLAR HOT WATER HEATING FOR VEHICLE WASH
Description: Involves installing a solar hot water collection and storage system to provide hot water for
the Vehicle Wash facility.
Benefits: Reduced energy costs, improved energy security.
Cost: $8,500 per 2-collector system ($682 annually @ 5%).
Payback: Sixteen to seventeen years, with positive cash flow beginning in year 16.