Conserving energy and cutting costs

It's a fact: gas prices and costs for general utilities are on the rise throughout the nation. These record setting rates are effecting not only homeowners but school districts, as well. At Guilderland Central School District, we believe that every effort should be made to conserve energy and natural resources, not only to benefit our land but to also provide sound financial management for the district and subsequently, for local taxpayers.

In October 2005, the Guilderland Board of Education adopted an Energy Management Conservation Policy* and accompanying regulations* to outline exactly how the district plans to address energy management within its seven school buildings, transportation and maintenance facilities, and the district office while maintaining a safe, healthy, and comfortable educational environment.

Putting a program into place: Energy Education , Inc.

The district began working with Energy Education, Inc. (EEI), an energy management consultant that works specifically with school districts, to identify ways to better monitor and conserve energy usage in March, 2005. The goals of the EEI program are to:

• Help the district conserve energy to save the non-renewable resources of the planet

• Assist the district in maintaining a quality learning environment for students, teachers, and staff

• Create a “mind-set” within the district that everyone can become an energy saver and not just an energy user

• Help save dollars which the district can productively reinvest in its ongoing activities

A key feature of the EEI program is the concept of energy savings though cost avoidance. What exactly does this mean? Cost avoidance is the idea that through education, training, and monitoring, all members of the Guilderland school community can make small changes which can collectively yield big results. Turning off classroom lights when not in use, shutting down computers and printers at the end of each day, and turning down the heat in each building when not in use are all simple ways that staff can contribute to lowering energy consumption resulting in lower energy costs.

Promoting good energy habits

Another integral component of the EEI plan is the implementation of an energy manager position within the district. In July 2005, the Guilderland Board of Education approved the appointment of Farnsworth Middle School math teacher Fred Tresselt as Guilderland's energy manager.

Tresselt's responsibilities include: monitoring the district's energy program; collecting and interpreting energy consumption data using various diagnostic tools; providing feedback to staff at all levels within the district; and encouraging the school community to take a proactive stance on conserving energy.

As energy manager, Tresselt will also be visiting each district building at least once time a week -- before, during, and after school hours -- to monitor energy usage, ensure energy conservation practices are being implemented, and to identify possible areas of additional conservation.

Passing on savings

As one of its first energy conservation measures of the school year, the district decided to lower thermostat set points to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in all buildings during student/staff occupied times. Previously, thermostats were set to 70 degrees during the heating season. (The minimum temperature required by state law is 65 degrees.)

Research by EEI shows that savings of 1-2% in consumption can be realized for every one degree increment that thermostats are lowered. Based on recent energy prices, the district estimates an annual savings - in the form of cost avoidance - of approximately $12,800 for every one degree change, or about $25,000 total.

Individual opportunities for cost avoidance, such as the one mentioned above, all add up to large savings for the district. In fact, the district is projecting approximately $337,000 in savings via cost avoidance by the end of the 2005-06 school year.

Guilderland's 4-year agreement with EEI guarantees that the avoided energy costs will at least offset all program costs, including the energy manager's stipend. Any additional savings will be used to lower the overall school district budget.

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