Ameresco Completes District-Wide Energy Efficiency Transformation for Charlo School District
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energy performance contractfinancial
An energy performance contract is a long-term agreement where a specialist upgrades a building or facility to cut energy use and is paid from the resulting utility bill savings, often with guaranteed targets. Think of it like hiring a contractor to renovate a house and agreeing that the contractor will be paid out of the lower energy bills over time. For investors, these contracts can improve predictable cash flow, reduce operating costs, and shift upfront capital and performance risk to the contractor.
hvactechnical
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning — the systems that control temperature, airflow and indoor air quality in buildings. Investors care because HVAC drives operating costs, energy use, tenant comfort and regulatory compliance; like the engine and insulation of a building, efficient modern systems can lower bills, reduce repair and replacement spending, and preserve property value, while outdated units can create unexpected expenses and vacancy risk.
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Heat pumps are electrically powered devices that move warmth from one place to another—for example drawing heat from outside air or the ground into a building in winter, or reversing to cool in summer—like a refrigerator working in reverse. They matter to investors because their higher efficiency compared with direct-burning heaters can cut energy bills and emissions, creating demand and shaping revenue for manufacturers, installers, utilities and related supply chains, while policy incentives and energy prices influence market growth.
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LED lighting uses tiny semiconductor chips to turn electricity directly into light, making fixtures much more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than traditional bulbs; think of it as swapping short-lived candles for a durable, low-energy lamp. Investors care because lower energy use, reduced maintenance and growing regulations drive steady demand, create cost-saving opportunities for businesses and homeowners, and shape where manufacturers, installers and suppliers will earn future revenue.
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The building envelope is the outer shell of a property — walls, roof, windows and doors — that separates the indoor space from outside weather and noise, like a coat for a building. For investors it matters because the envelope determines energy bills, comfort, maintenance needs and regulatory compliance; a well-made envelope lowers operating costs, protects asset value and can make a property easier to rent or sell.
demand-controlled ventilationtechnical
Demand-controlled ventilation is an HVAC approach that uses sensors (like carbon dioxide or occupancy detectors) to adjust fresh-air intake and fan speed based on how many people are actually in a space and the air quality. For investors, it matters because it cuts energy and maintenance costs, improves tenant comfort and health, and can help a building meet efficiency rules or earn green certifications—factors that affect operating income, rentability, and property value.
economizer functionstechnical
Economizer functions are control features in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that automatically use cooler outside air or other low‑energy sources to reduce mechanical heating or cooling. For investors, they matter because they cut energy costs, extend equipment life, and lower emissions, which can improve operating margins, reduce future capital spending, and affect regulatory compliance and a property’s long‑term value—think of them as an automatic “open window” that saves on running the air conditioner.
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A programmable thermostat is a heating and cooling controller that automatically adjusts temperatures based on a set schedule or remote commands, like programming a coffee maker to start at a specific time. For investors, it matters because these devices can lower energy bills, reduce building operating costs, enable new service models and data-driven offerings, and expose manufacturers to product, regulatory and cybersecurity risks tied to smart home technologies.
The two-phased Energy Performance Contract supports long-term cost savings, facility performance, and enhanced learning environments for the Montana school district
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & CHARLO, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider, today announced it has completed a comprehensive Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for Charlo School District in Charlo, Montana. Designed to create a more optimized learning environment, the project targeted modernizing aging infrastructure, improving indoor comfort, and reducing long-term energy and maintenance costs.
Ameresco completes district-wide energy upgrades for Montana’s Charlo School District, advancing energy efficiency and long-term cost savings across facilities.
Conducted in two phases, the project delivered district-wide upgrades to mechanical systems, lighting, and building envelopes to enhance weatherization. The first phase replaced outdated equipment at the elementary and high schools with high-efficiency heat pumps, modernized HVAC in classrooms and offices, upgraded LED lighting, improved gymnasium air circulation, and added air sealing and insulation to reduce energy use and optimize indoor conditions.
Phase 2 focused on the junior high and additional learning spaces, replacing aging fuel-oil and propane systems with efficient heat pumps and upgraded temperature controls. Programmable thermostats, demand-controlled ventilation, and economizer functions were also implemented to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, as well as supplemental electric heating to ensure consistent conditions throughout the buildings.
The comprehensive improvements are projected to generate over $93,000 in annual contracted energy savings, strengthening operational performance and long-term reliability.
“This project reflects Charlo School District’s commitment to providing safe, comfortable, and efficient learning environments for our students and staff,” said Jim Baldwin, Superintendent at Charlo School District. “By modernizing critical energy infrastructure across our schools and eliminating fossil fuel burning equipment, we’re advancing our sustainability goals, improving day-to-day comfort, and enabling resources to be directed where they matter most: in the classroom.”
The project builds on Ameresco’s ongoing work across Montana and its commitment to enhancing energy efficiency for K-12 districts nationwide. Phase 2 received partial support from a Renew America’s Schools grant, enabling the district to expand upgrades and accelerate the replacement of aging systems.
“We are proud to partner with Charlo School District to modernize energy infrastructure and deliver measurable cost-savings,” said Lou Maltezos, President, Central & Western USA and Canada Regions at Ameresco. “Through this collaboration, the district is improving energy efficiency, strengthening facility performance in ways that will benefit students and staff for years to come.”
About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure, and developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering energy infrastructure solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, data centers, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.
The announcement of completion of a customer’s project contract is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such contract, of Ameresco’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in Ameresco’s overall total project backlog. This project was included in Ameresco’s previously reported contracted backlog as of December 31, 2025.
