By Cheryl Aquadro, K-12 Vertical Market Director, Johnson Controls
Tennessee organizations – from small businesses, to schools, to hospitals – have shown a continued urgency to achieve safer, more comfortable, more reliable and ultimately more sustainable buildings. As a leader in the building solutions space for Tennessee since 1901, Johnson Controls has maintained unparalleled local presence in Tennessee.

At Johnson Controls, our job is to transform communities by empowering them to be more productive, more efficient and more capable. From implementing renewable energy sources to comprehensive building management, we make it possible through bold thinking and unrivaled technical expertise.

To meet the surge in local demand for buildings that support healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet, Johnson Controls has grown its presence in the state and brought some of the most talented professionals in the industry right here to Tennessee. The local team now has a wide range of specialized talent, including multiple account executives, engineering support, vertical market specialists, and financing support services. With 12 offices throughout the state, Johnson Controls is never far away.

Creative funding powers innovation in Tennessee communities
Johnson Controls’ Tennessee Performance Infrastructure team is uniquely equipped to deliver innovative approaches to solve today’s most challenging infrastructure problems. The model the team employs for facility upgrades differs from traditional methods by leveraging a wide variety of innovative technologies and creative funding approaches.

From contingent payment programs, to assistance with grants or relief funding, to performance contracting with guaranteed energy savings, advanced risk management mechanisms make cutting-edge innovations possible immediately. This means Tennessee organizations don’t have to wait for capital to become available before making critical updates. The funds saved through Performance Infrastructure’s advanced procurement methods can then be redirected back into organizations’ primary missions.

For three school districts in Tennessee – Lake County, Overton County and Smith County – performance contracting with the Johnson Controls Performance Infrastructure team allowed them to make a combined $7.7M in infrastructure improvements. Across the three districts, upgrades included LED lighting, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, HVAC asset replacement, access controls, energy management systems and water conservation solutions. By offsetting the cost of the improvements with the projected $11M in energy, operations and maintenance savings, the school districts were empowered to invest in optimal student learning environments without draining their budgets. Any leftover savings can be reinvested into programs that directly impact student success.

Johnson Controls meets the need for energy efficiency in Tennessee
With the rising cost of energy and a push to reduce carbon footprint, many Tennessee communities and organizations are prioritizing energy efficiency and building sustainability. Johnson Controls OpenBlue® Net Zero Building as a Service offering provides comprehensive building management solutions to help design, build, own, operate and maintain facilities – all while guaranteeing energy and cost savings. Powered by the OpenBlue suite of connected solutions, this turnkey solution allows Tennessee organizations to deliver long-term resiliency, reduce energy cost and consumption, and achieve sustainability goals.

Going into 2022, we are seeing the highest demand to date from facilities looking to improve operational efficiency while addressing new challenges, such as utilizing new energy sources, addressing clear-air systems and connecting to new technologies. This demand, coupled with the desire to prepare for upcoming corporate, social and legislative changes to address climate change, requires additional resources for this market.

By engaging with the Johnson Controls team, Tennessee organizations can trust they are receiving localized customer service backed by global resources. To learn more about Johnson Controls Performance Infrastructure offerings, visit our website.