ENERGY MANAGEMENT

What is the program’s goal?
The goal of the energy education program is to reduce the district’s energy usage in order to save money and reduce the district’s carbon footprint.

How does the program work?
Patrick Hayes, the district energy education specialist, works with Cenergistic, The Energy Conservation Company, to help modify behavior and approaches that those in the district take toward saving energy, not necessarily purchasing equipment.

The district’s energy education specialist receives training from Cenergistic and then works with facilities staff, administrators and teachers to develop and implement a program that reduces, as much as possible, the district’s energy consumption without impacting the comfort or security of students and staff.

The energy education specialist conducts regular energy audits of each school building and reports findings to administrators and staff. He also analyzes the district’s energy usage and bills to continue searching for savings opportunities.

How are savings calculated?
The district uses software to monitor all of its utility bills. By comparing our current bills to our base year, prior to implementing the program, and adjusting for fluctuations in weather, it is possible to track savings.

How much have we saved?
Since 2011, the district has saved over $300,000 and reduced its energy usage by more than 23 percent. That is the equivalent of:

  • Removing 1,017 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.

  • Removing 212 cars from the roads for 1 year

  • Planting over 26,079 trees

In addition, our 4 elementary schools have received the EPA’s Energy Star recognition as Energy Star buildings.

Energy Savings Tips
Visit Energy.gov for tips to save energy at home

  • Use your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and cook as late in the evening as possible.

  • Keep your freezer as full as possible. You can place containers or plastic bottles filled with water in the empty spaces