Laforge Systems -
Industrial
Paulson Electric completed design and construction of this industrial and commercial structure in early 2010. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the finished structure includes a 15,000 square foot manufacturing floor with 3,100 square feet of attached office space. Paulson Electric's design and construction utilized energy efficient fixtures and material to lower the operating cost of the structure and extend its life.
Paulson Electric used high-efficient, eight-lamp T-5 fixtures with daylight sensors on the manufacturing floor. We included daylight sensors to shut off four lamps in each fixture during periods of adequate daylight, taking advantage of the natural light from windows in the manufacturing area. This design strategy minimizes energy consumed during the day and has been credited with energy savings of up to 40%.
Paulson Electric also incorporated scheduled lighting control throughout the manufacturing floor of the building. The system can be programmed to turn the lights on in the morning, off in the evening or any other combination of schedule to meet the needs of the space. Occupancy sensors were used in all areas not controlled by schedule, mainly the office. This strategy can produce energy savings of 25% to 40% depending on how often the space is vacant.
Iowa Theater Building-Theatre Cedar Rapids -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications were proud to be part of the design/build team for the renovation of the 81 year old Iowa Theater Building, home to Theatre Cedar Rapids, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Iowa Theater Building was destroyed by flood waters in the summer of 2008. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications designed and constructed electrical and data systems for the auditorium, three floors of office space, lounge, concession, dressing room, rehearsal space and all public areas. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications worked closely with the design team to develop the system for each space that achieved the level of performance required by Theatre Cedar Rapids. Paulson Electric installed color wash kinetics LED fixtures in the lounge that wash the walls with programmable colored light. We also worked closely with the theatrical and sound designers to provide the necessary infrastructure for their equipment.
Dubuque Retirement Center -
Health Care
Dubuque’s premier living facilities, where independence and dignity are respected. Paulson Electric was proud to work on this 225,000 sq. foot building built on approximately 10 acres. It contains 185 upscale one and two bedroom apartments and includes an indoor pool, community room and underground parking.
Mercy Medical Office Building -
Health Care
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications completed design and construction of the 72,000 square foot, four story Mercy Medical Office Building located in Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa in late 2009. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications played an important role on the design/build project team. The Building's core and shell is anticipated to achieve LEED Silver certification. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications used the same principles for the cost-effective, energy-saving build out of tenant spaces. The first floor is currently occupied by OB GYN Associates. Cedar Rapids Heart is going to occupy the fourth floor with construction to begin this spring.
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications brought its expertise in energy-efficient design and construction to the project. Our design and construction kept the watts per square foot below industry standard, saving our client long term operating expense. We used motion sensors and timers to control lighting as two methods to reduce energy costs. The Medical Office Building also received LEED points for utilizing an existing building site and recycling over half of the salvaged material.
Grainger, Inc. Service Center -
Commercial
Paulson Electric provided design assistance and constructed Grainger, Inc.'s LEED Gold-certified service facility in Waterloo, Iowa. The Grainger project achieved LEED Gold certification for its commitment to sutainable design and construction. Paulson Electric played a key role in the project, including design of floor ductwork and other features. This feature allows Grainger the freedom to re-arrange its workstations to best serve its needs. Paulson Electric also assisted Grainger with selection of fixtures that had the desired aesthetic and performance criteria. Paulson Electric's construction expertise ensured the project finished on time and within the budget.
PEC Communications also played a role in the Grainger LEED Gold-certified project. PEC Communications designed and installed the fire alarm system. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications' partnership ensured schedule integration and lowered construction costs through operational efficiencies.
Prairie Point Middle School -
Government
Paulson Electric teamed with the College Community School district to construct a 230,000 square foot state-of-the-art educational facility. Prairie Point Middle School includes two gymnasiums, computer and science labs, industrial arts facilities, and adult living and general class rooms. Paulson Electric provided the latest in electrical construction techniques to ensure the facility met the owner's needs.
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications Cedar Rapids Office -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications recently moved to a new office and warehouse in Cedar Rapids. The office and warehouse were constructed using green building techniques and incorporated many LEED characteristics. The result is an office complex that decreases energy consumption and increases the life of the structure.
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications installed high-efficiency fluorescent lighting in their warehouse. High-efficiency fluorescent lighting provides significant energy savings over traditional fluorescent lighting. Tax credits are often available for retrofitting traditional lighting. Warehouse lighting is also connected to occupancy sensors by zones, reducing energy consumption by only lighting occupied areas.
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications also installed occupancy sensors to control interior office lighting. Sensors in each room are programmed to turn off the lights if it remains unoccupied for five minutes. Automatic shut-off reduces the amount of energy consumed and removes the possibility of an occupant forgetting to turn off lights when leaving the office for the day. Industry information shows energy savings of 30%, reducing building operating costs by 10% or more.
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications chose geothermal heating and cooling and a white roof for their new office/warehouse complex. Both investments show return through decreased energy consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates energy usage to coll a building can be cut in half by installing a white roof. The new office also has an electric car charging station, so make sure to stop by if you need to fill up!
Loras College Wellness Center -
Educational
The Loras Wellness Center is a great example of Paulson Electric’s expertise in energy efficient systems and project management. Included in the construction of the building were state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems and a lighting system that optimizes natural light and is energy efficient. Paulson Electric worked directly with the owner to help keep the project within budget and on time.
Amana Commercial Products -
Industrial
Paulson Electric teamed with Amana Commercial Products (ACP) to design and construct its newest commercial microwave manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Paulson Electric's participation in the facility's design allowed us to work closely with ACP on specific power requirements for manufacturing lines and testing stations. Paulson Electric used its expertise to resolve potential hurdles before construction, saving ACP valuable time and financial resources.
Paulson Electric also has expertise with manufacturing controls and processes out of our Dubuque office. We have experience with programmable logic controllers (PLC's), drives and motor control centers, human machine interfaces (HMI's) and other controls and sensors. Paulson Electric services this type of equipment and control software for clients such as John Deere, Nordstrom, BP Amoco and Woodward Communications.
McGraw Hill Regional Headquarters -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric teamed to design and build McGraw Hill Company's newest office complex in Dubuque, Iowa, completing the project in 2007. Paulson Electric led the electrical design team whose work earned the multi-story office building LEED Silver certification. The Paulson Electric-led team suggested numerous energy-saving measures. Installing metering equipment on lighting and mechanical equipment to measure energy usage and changing heat pumps for boilers were two examples of energy-saving measures. The McGraw Hill building also utilizes lighting controls, adding to the energy savings. These green measures decrease the building's long-term cost and impact on the environment.
PEC Communications (PEC) was also an integral part of the design and construction team, installing nearly 100 miles of cable, 3,000 data connections and 600 fiber optic connectors. Teaming with both McGraw Hill and the general contractor, PEC utilized leading-edge technologies to provide a complete turn-key project, including data, voice, sound, fire protection and video cabling in a timely and safe manner. Partnering with manufacturers, PEC coordinated the complex logistics of the fast-paced project, rose to meet daily challenges and provided a certified warranty to protect McGraw Hill’s investment for 25 years.
ConAgra -
Industrial
This pudding plant had to be up and running on schedule. When opened it produced 430 million cups of pudding annually. Paulson Electric reacted to design information released as the plant was being constructed and successfully integrated the many systems involved to achieve ConAgra’s production schedule.
Loras College Rock Bowl -
Educational
This was a complete makeover of the football and track facility including new Musco lighting that can be controlled remotely from the stadium and new press box and concessions facility.