Zoned Technology Leads to Lower Electric Bills

Misubishi

With Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric, St. Joseph’s no longer fears high electrical bills and is able to offer students and teachers a comfortable learning environment year-round.

After many years running on an outdated boiler system and noisy AC units, St. Joseph School, in Pilot Grove, Mo., needed to find an HVAC system that could efficiently cool and heat the 5,400-square-foot building without disrupting day-to-day activities. The solution: Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating.

With these needs in mind, the school worked with Jamie Callahan of Air and Water Solutions. Callahan believed there was only one solution for St. Joseph’s—zoned technology, and he recommended Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric as the brand for the school to install. He said, “The school didn’t want to reuse the gas boiler, and with the energy efficiency of Mitsubishi Electric units, it was the only option.”

The installation took only two weeks and Callahan has received nothing but positive feedback from the school, specifically with the system’s ability to offer cost savings. He said, “From what I’ve heard, the school went from paying thousand dollar electric bills to paying $245 a month. That’s nearly 25 percent of the original cost.”

The staff agrees that the experience has been great. Principal Nichole Watring said, “We have not had any issues with the system and the teachers and students love that they can control the temperature of their rooms. It’s much quieter and more efficient than the previous system.”

The school was also pleased with the system’s appearance. School Manager Donna Gerke said, “We looked for a system that offered more cost savings and efficiency but aesthetics was an added bonus. It’s given the school a whole new look on the inside. It looks fresher and cleaner.”

With Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric, St. Joseph’s no longer fears high electrical bills and is able to offer students and teachers a comfortable learning environment year-round.

www.mitsubishicomfort.com

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management June 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Houston-Area High School Receives Best Project Award from ENR

    Tomball West High School near Houston, Texas, recently received a K–12 Education Best Project Award in Engineering News-Record’s 2026 Texas & Southeast Best Projects Awards, according to a press release. The new facility was completed in May and opened its doors to students for the fall 2026 semester.