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Energy Tips for Existing Facilities
Most schools spend more money on energy each year than on school supplies. Your school does not need to. You can lower your school's energy bills and redirect millions of dollars each year into facilities, teachers' salaries, computers, textbooks and more, simply by using energy efficiently and by installing energy-efficient equipment. For example, energy-efficient lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems typically reduce annual utility bills by an average of 20%.
Moreover, many efficiency improvements — such as better building design and energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems — also improve our children's classroom environment by improving lighting quality and elminating the air contaminates released by old air-conditioning units.
In response to the energy crisis in 2001 and 2002, many California teachers, superintendents and school districts have made strides to implement energy-saving practices and improvements in school buildings and to integrate energy topics into classroom curricula. The key is to continue — or begin — the actions that have proven effective over the last few years.
Flex Your Power Now
- Take simple no-cost and low-cost steps, which can immediately impact your school's utility bill — often cutting energy costs by 10% or more:
- Turn off lights and computers in unoccupied rooms.
- Turn thermostats up or down over holiday breaks.
- Establish regular preventive maintenance schedules for building systems.
- Install controls, such as programmable thermostats and occupancy sensors, to reduce energy consumption in infrequently used areas like auditoriums and break rooms.
- Implement energy awareness programs to encourage facilities staff, faculty and students to change their energy behavior and adopt permanent energy-saving habits for school and at home.
- Apply now for financial and technical assistance from utilities and businesses statewide to offset the costs and to make the improvements easier. Contact your local utility for more information on programs such as these:
- Local K-12 Schools Energy Efficiency Program provides expertise and resources to assist Central Valley school districts in implementing energy-efficient retrofits and energy education with:
- Energy efficiency retrofit guidance and operations training for district facility and maintenance personnel
- Assistance in incorporating energy efficiency curriculum and learning activities into the district curricula and
- Web-based tools for learning about energy-efficient project planning and implementation, and accessing a bulk procurement mechanism.
- School Resources Program provides a broad array of services to rural school districts and school districts with a significant number of non-English speaking residents. Services include:
- ENERGY STAR benchmarking of existing facilities;
- Detailed energy audits;
- Assistance in developing retrofit project implementation plans;
- Assistance in identifying and accessing financing options; and
- Delivery of a variety of educational workshops for students and school staff.
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Energy Efficient Schools For a Brighter Future
But yours doesn't need to. You can lower your school's energy bills using off-the-shelf, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. Energy-efficient equipment reduces annual maintenance costs and can conserve finite resources and improve air quality. Many administrators have said that our recommendations and assistance led to better learning environments and increased test scores. And savings from these systems are proven - typically reducing annual utility bills an average of 20 percent. Just imagine where you could spend those savings.
The Bright Schools Program Can Help!
Whether you are building a new school, modernizing an existing one or just wondering how your school can save on energy bills, the Bright Schools Program can help. This California Energy Commission program offers specific services to help you become more energy wise, such as identifying cost-effective energy-efficient systems to meet your needs and providing design and implementation assistance -- at little or no cost to you.
New School Construction
Schools built with energy-efficient designs will cost less to operate, offering continuous savings and leaving more money for education. Many new schools incorporate equipment and building measures that barely meet recommended energy-efficiency standards. However, many of these designs could be improved with little or no additional expense. Bright Schools provides technical assistance early in the design phase, before the plans are solidified. The savings accumulate from the first day of operation! For new school construction, Bright Schools can:
- Provide design consultation
- Identify cost-effective energy-saving measures
- Compare different technologies
- Develop specifications for energy-efficient equipment
- Help select architects and other design professionals with school construction and energy-efficiency expertise
- Review construction plans
- Complete value engineering of specific energy-efficiency measures
School Modernization, Deferred Maintenance and Energy Audits
Bright Schools can help you get the most from your modernization and maintenance investments. With an evaluation of your five-year deferred maintenance plans or an energy audit of you facilities, you could identify energy-related projects that should be implemented immediately as part of a comprehensive Bright Schools energy package. Schools planning major renovations can benefit from our technical assistance. The program can also help you get loans to obtain the matching funds required by some State programs. For school modernization and deferred maintenance efforts, Bright Schools can:
- Conduct energy audits and feasibility studies
- Review existing proposals and designs
- Provide equipment bid specifications
- Assist with contractor selection
- Assist with installations
Bright Schools Collaborates with Key State Programs
Our staff works closely with the Office of Public School Construction, the Division of the State Architect, and the California Department of Education to ensure that recommended projects meet program eligibility requirements. We can help you secure low-interest loans to provide all or a portion of the funds you need for your energy-related deferred maintenance project, or to match modernization funding from other State programs.
Download Brochure
Bright Schools Brochure is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). For more information about PDF files or to download Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com.
Bright Schools Brochure
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