Walnut : Computer to Run Utilities

The city hopes to slash its energy and water costs by using a computerized energy management system designed to pay for itself through the savings in utility consumption.

The City Council last week ratified a seven-year contract with Honeywell Commercial Buildings Group to monitor and control all heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and irrigation equipment at City Hall, the city service yard and three municipal parks.

Honeywell agreed to provide the computerized system in return for $193,123, the city’s estimated net savings over the seven-year period of the contract.

If the actual savings are less than the estimated figure, Honeywell will pay the difference to the city.