District Heating and Cooling

The St. Paul Companies and District Energy have been energy partners since hot water district heating service became available in 1983. In fact, true to tradition, The St. Paul Companies assured a leadership role by being the first building to sign up for district heating service in 1981.

In 1990, The St. Paul Companies confirmed its commitment to the St. Paul community by constructing a beautiful new headquarters building just north of the old office building on Washington Street. As a progressive employer, in tune with its' employment needs, the company also located an on-site daycare center-the first of its' kind in the Twin cities- on the west side of the new corporate facility. Both the North Building and the Child Care Center became district heating customers when construction was completed in 1991.

"We saw district heating as the system of the future," says Michael De Luca, facilities manager for St. Paul Companies. "It offers a convenient, reliable service plus capital and operating cost savings. District heating has proved to be well worthwhile."

Taking its leadership role a step further, The St. Paul Companies committed its South Building and Child Care Center to district cooling in June 1991, almost two years before service became available. And then in July of this year, a new and exciting business partnership was formed between The St. Paul Companies and District Energy's affiliate, District Cooling St. Paul: The St. Paul Companies will connect its North Building, to the district cooling system and allow District Cooling to operate and maintain the two-year-old chillers and associate equipment within their chiller plant for use as peaking and backup capacity for the district cooling system.

"We see district cooling as a good environmental decision-a way to reduce our energy consumption," observes De Luca. "We can enjoy safe, reliable service 365 days a year, which will be particularly beneficial to us in the spring and fall when our small cooling local doesn't warrant operating our large chillers. Connecting all of our buildings to the district cooling system provides a definite cost saving to us."

This is clearly a win-win situation for both companies and all district heating and cooling customers! And it's a prime example of our dedication to meeting the needs of our current and prospective customers.