Bi-polar Ionization Project

Westside Elementary School is located in Smithfield, Virginia and is a part of the Isle of Wright County School System. Westside was challenged with issues such as comfort and indoor air quality due to an outdated Heating Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system. The school was renovated in the summer of 2014 under an Energy Performance Contract by Ameresco.  The original HVAC design called for the central plant to have 260 tons of capacity.

Chesapeake Controls and Thompson Consulting Engineers redesigned the system incorporating Bi Polar Ionization technology which reduced the fresh-air requirement by 60% and reduced the central plant to 200 tons capacity saving over $500,000 in renovation costs.

Today, the school smells fresh and clean, absenteeism of students and staff has dropped by almost 20%.

Moving forward, Isle of Wight Schools is looking to implement Bi-Polar Ionization in every school because its proven its worth in both financial and educational benefits according to Anthony Hinds – Manager of Financial Services & Procurement.

This technology is being incorporated in every possible project from Chesapeake Controls.  It has become the new “Low Hanging Fruit” in energy reduction and IAQ.