Historic Virginian building receives energy efficiency upgrade

The historic Moses Building, home to the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, has received an energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrade, designed to deliver cost-savings while enhancing building performance, reliability, and sustainability for years to come.

It was carried out by energy infrastructure solutions provider Ameresco, which has announced the completion of the Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) project.

Energy conservation focus

A core part of the project included a targeted energy conservation initiative designed to deliver guaranteed energy savings over the life of the project while preserving the historic character of the building, originally constructed during the Great Depression era.

To achieve these goals, Ameresco implemented a range of upgrades designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance occupant comfort. The project included the installation of a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump HVAC system, replacement of ageing single‑pane wood windows with new double‑pane units that complemented the building’s historic architecture, and repairs to interior wood and plaster surfaces damaged by long‑term water infiltration.

“By leveraging the ESPC model, we were able to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades with guaranteed savings, while minimising disruption to county operations”

“Ameresco’s performance was outstanding and exceeded our expectations,” said Chris Adcock, public works director at Pittsylvania County, Virginia. “Thanks to their attention to detail and commitment to excellence, the project delivered lasting benefits to our facility. We now have a more modern, efficient, and reliable environment that better serves both staff and the community.”

Ameresco said completing the work in an occupied public safety facility presented a unique challenge, requiring meticulous planning to maintain daily operations and ensure the safety of staff and visitors.