The school district is facing budget issues and high utility costs. They are partnering with an energy consulting firm called Cenergistic to implement an energy education program across all district schools to reduce energy consumption by 20-30% through optimizing equipment usage and changing energy habits. Under the program, energy specialists will audit schools weekly, recommend schedule changes, and train staff to ensure all equipment is turned off during unoccupied times to save on electricity and gas costs. The goal is to lower utility spending without purchasing new equipment by increasing energy awareness and efficiency.

1. School District
Energy Education Program
Presented by
Energy Specialists

2. Why Are We Here?
 school districts are facing a budget crisis
• This results in pay freezes, staff reductions, and program
reductions
• Utility spending is currently more than 5 million annually
• The utility budget is a large item for the district
"To begin with the end in mind is the foundation of all accomplishments.”

3. School District Energy Program
 Goal of the program:
• Optimizing the way our facilities and equipment operate, not
purchasing new equipment
• Change habits that negatively effect energy consumption
• Maintaining classroom comfort, but making sure everything is
off when not in use

4. Partnership with Cenergistic
• Experts and specialists have over 400 years of combined
experience in energy conservation
• More than 1100 school districts across the nation have a similar
program
• Cenergistic has saved over 2.1 billion dollars for public education
• The program results in a 20-30% reduction in energy consumption
• School districts may enter into a four-year “guaranteed savings”
agreement
• The program is funded out of the existing utility budget
• http://www.cenergistic.com/

5. Introduction
 Cenergistic offers an energy policy and guidelines for
HVAC, water usage, and lighting. The emphasis is to cut
down on usage during unoccupied times
 “Unoccupied” is defined as non-instructional time when
students are not in the building
 The goal – greater energy awareness and making sure
everything is turned off

6. Energy Specialist (ES) Responsibilities
 Analyze and assess energy use trends in all district buildings
 Perform 20-25 unoccupied and occupied audits per week
 Recommend HVAC TOD (time of day) schedules to match occupancy
patterns throughout the year with regard to seasonal changes
 Program EMS and work with Maintenance Team
 Generate statistical reports for principals and staff
 Maintain an open line of communication with faculty, staff, and
students to promote positive change
 One-on-one training with Cenergistic staff
 Continually assess and reassess the program

7. Equipment – Shut Downs
 Lights
 Computers
 Monitors
 Speakers
 TVs
 Printers
 Stereos
 Exhaust Fans
 Audio-visual equipment
 HVAC (heating ventilation and air
conditioning)
These must be completely off when not in use/during
unoccupied times

8. Building Operation Procedures
 Occupied temperatures
• Heating Season – 68 F – 72 F
• Cooling Season – 74 F – 78 F
 Unoccupied temperatures
• Heating Season – 55 F
• Cooling Season – 85 F
 Starting time
 End of the school day
 Exhaust fans

9. Average Monthly Cost
Electrical/Gas Water
Elementary
School
$10,000 $300
Middle or
Intermediate
School
$15,000 $1,000
High School $30,000 $3,000

10. Little Costs Add Up ……
 Computer
• $ 0.01/hour
• 9000 PCs = $90/hour
 Typical Classroom Lights
• $ 0.10/hour
• 1175 classrooms =
$118/hour
 Cost for Gym Lights
• $2/hour
• 45 gyms = $90/hour
 Cost for Football Field Lights
• $10/hour
 Cost for Classroom HVAC
• $0.75/hour
• 1175 classrooms =
$880/hour
Cost for a Sleeping Monitor
•A monitor that is in standby
mode consumes ~2 watts
•Districts may have
approximately 9,000
computers
•9,000 devices x 2 watts =
18,000 watts (similar to a high
school gym)
•If they are left on 16 hours
extra each night that equals
18W x $.08/hour x 16
hours/day x 200 days =
$4,600/year
That is with the computer
turned off
Myth: Shutting off computers
will not save much money
Truth:
•Computer running 8
hours/day = $30/year plus
additional cost of A/C
•Computer operating 365 days
= $90/year
•District has 9,000 computers
•Save $60 per computer =
$540,000 annual savings
Screen savers are not energy
savers

11. What can employees do?
DURING THE DAY
Set power options on your computer to put the monitor in “sleep” mode;
5-10 minutes is recommended.
Turn off lights when you leave your office or classroom for more than 15
minutes.
END OF THE DAY
Turn off TV, computer, monitor, projector, local printer, & speakers
Close doors
Close blinds
If you have local control of your thermostat, set it back before you leave (55
F – winter /85 F – summer).

12. Summary
 ES will be monitoring energy usage throughout the
building at various times of the day and/or night.
 Energy Report Cards will be used to report energy savings
opportunities.
 Various tools will be used to support findings and assist in
maintaining comfort levels.
 YOU can help a school district save energy dollars by
turning off computers, lights, etc., and making sure that
“off is off ” when you leave for the day or evening.

13. Your school district needs your help implementing this
program in each of your schools.
Questions?