Energy Conservation

The USD 232 Energy Conservation Program exists to reduce utility consumption so that educational
dollars can be directed to the classroom. The program is made possible through the efforts of
the technical staff, custodians, administrators, teachers, and the Energy Manager. The technical
staff keeps all systems working as efficiently as possible. The custodians, administrators and
teachers are the frontline of action for keeping windows and doors closed and shutting off lights
and electrical devices when they are not in use. The Energy Manager schedules the HVAC
systems so that building spaces are conditioned to appropriate temperature and humidity levels
while in use, consistently monitors buildings to help proactively identify potential problems,
responds to staff concerns through online controls and in-person investigation, and audits
buildings for shutdowns over long breaks.

Cost avoidance is an estimate of the money that is not being spent on utilities as a direct result of
the energy conservation efforts of the school district. A baseline cost was calculated in
2012. Energycap, a specialized software, uses that baseline expense and algorithmically calculates the Baseline Adjusted to Current Conditions (BATCC). The BATCC takes into account independent variables such as weather, billing period length, rate increases/decreases, changes in population, and changes in
floor area (square feet).

The district added new facilities (square footage) since the baseline expenses were calculated in 2012. Expenses are being tracked for all locations, but the cost avoidance calculation only includes utility costs for
district facilities that existed in 2012. However, our energy conservation practices are being
applied throughout the district. As a result, the cost avoidance that we are seeing are happening in our newer locations.

Energy Conservation is Working

The district implemented the energy savings program in 2012. Since that time, USD 232 has avoided more than $7.2 million in energy costs as a result of the district's energy-saving efforts. This is great news, even as the district added facilities and square footage since 2012.

2023-2024 Update

Commodity Costs

The district's average daily cost for utilities is down 21.5% year over year (April 2023 to March 2024 compared to April 2022 to March 2023). The reduction in utility costs are more than likely due to the mild winter. According to Woodriver Energy, this past winter was the warmest on record. Unfortunately, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting
average temperatures that are leaning above
average for this summer. This will make all our
summer planning efforts more important.

As the graph clearly shows, the largest utility expense in the school district across 17+ facilities is for electricity. The district will spend more money in one month on electricity than it will spend on water or natural gas for the entire year. That is why turning off any unused electrical equipment is so beneficial.

 

 

 

 

The Board of Education supports energy conservation and believes it is responsible to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to conserve energy and natural resources while exercising sound financial management. The Board has engaged in a program to develop and implement a comprehensive energy conservation program across the organization. The program shall consist of short and long range strategies to maximize energy conservation. The administration will develop guidelines to administer the energy conservation program.

Energy Conservation & Building Management

• Every person is expected to become an “energy saver” as well as an “energy consumer.”
• The staff member is responsible for implementing the guidelines during the time that he/she is present in the instruction room or office.
• The custodian is responsible for control of common areas, i.e. halls, cafeteria, etc.
• Since the custodian is typically the last person to leave a facility in the evening, he/she is responsible for verification of the nighttime shutdown.
• The principal or facility administrator is responsible for the total energy usage of his/her facility.
• The Energy Specialist provides regular (at least semi-annual) program update reports to the Board.
• The Energy Specialist performs routine audits of all facilities and communicates the audit results to the appropriate personnel.
• The Energy Specialist is responsible for either directly or indirectly making adjustments to the Organization’s Energy Management System (EMS), including temperature settings and run times for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and other controlled equipment.
• Administration will regularly communicate the importance and impact of the energy conservation program to its internal and external constituents.
• The Energy Specialist provides monthly energy savings reports to facility administrators detailing performance results.
• The organization is committed to and responsible for a safe and healthy learning environment.
• To complement the organization's behavioral-based energy conservation program, the organization shall develop and implement a preventive maintenance and monitoring plan for its facilities and systems, including HVAC, building envelope, and moisture management.

General Guidelines

1. With few exceptions, instruction room doors shall remain closed when HVAC is operating. Ensure doors between conditioned space and non-conditioned space remain closed at all times (i.e. between hallways and gym or pool area).
2. Proper and thorough utilization of data loggers will be initiated and maintained to monitor relative humidity, temperature, and light levels throughout the organization's facilities to ensure compliance with organization guidelines.
3. All exhaust fans should be turned off daily.
4. All office machines (copy machines, laminating equipment, etc.) shall be switched off each night and during unoccupied times. Fax machines should remain on.
5. All computers should be turned off each night. This includes the monitor, local printer, and speakers. Network equipment is excluded.
6. All capable PC’s should be programmed for the “energy saver” mode using the power management feature. If network constraints restrict this for the PC, ensure the monitor “sleeps” after 10-minutes of inactivity. 

Set Points

• Cooling Season Occupied Set Points¹:    74°F - 78°F
• Unoccupied Set Point:    85°F
• Heating Season Occupied Set Points¹:  68°F - 72°F
• Unoccupied Set Point:    55°F

¹ Set points are in accordance with ASHRAE 55 “Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy."

Air Conditioning Equipment

1. Occupied temperature settings shall NOT be set below 74°F.
2. During unoccupied times, the air conditioning equipment shall be off. The unoccupied period begins when the students leave the area at the end of day. It is anticipated that the temperature of the instruction room will be maintained long enough to afford comfort for the period the staff remains in the instruction room after the students have left.
3. Air conditioning start times may be adjusted (depending on weather) to ensure instruction room comfort when instruction begins.
4. Ensure outside air dampers are closed during unoccupied times.
5. Relative humidity levels shall not exceed 60% for any 24 hour period.
6. Air conditioning should not be utilized in facilities during the summer months unless the facilities are being used for summer school or year-round school. Air conditioning may be used by exception only or in those facilities that are involved in team-cleaning.
7. In all areas which have evaporative coolers such as shops, kitchens and gymnasiums, the doors leading to halls which have air conditioned instruction rooms or dining areas should be kept closed as much as possible.
8. Where cross-ventilation is available during periods of mild weather, shut down HVAC equipment and adjust temperature with windows and doors. Cross-ventilation is defined as having windows and/or doors to the outside on each side of a room.
9. Ensure dry food storage areas are maintained within code requirements. Typically, this is 55F-75F temperature and 35%-60% Relative Humidity. Utilize loggers to verify.

Heating Equipment

1. Occupied temperature settings shall NOT be above 72°F.
2. The unoccupied temperature setting shall be 55°F (i.e. setback). This may be adjusted to a 60°F setting during extreme weather.
3. The unoccupied time shall begin when the students leave an area.
4. During the spring and fall when there is no threat of freezing, all steam and forced air heating systems should be switched off during unoccupied times. Hot water heating systems should be switched off using the appropriate loop pumps.
5. Ensure all domestic hot water systems are set no higher than 120°F or 140°F for cafeteria service (with dishwasher booster).
6. Ensure all domestic hot water re-circulating pumps are switched off during unoccupied times.
7. For heat pumps, ensure a 6 °F dead-band between heating and cooling modes.
8. Heating oil and propane (if applicable) levels should be physically measured and recorded by “sticking the tanks” at least on the following intervals: 1) recurring scheduled monthly date 2) immediately before new delivery, 3) immediately after delivery.

Lighting

1. All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas will be turned off. Staff should make certain that lights are turned off when leaving the instruction room or office when empty. Utilize natural lighting where appropriate.
2. All outside lighting shall be off during daylight hours.
3. Gym lights should not be left on unless the gym is being utilized.
4. All lights will be turned off when students and staff leave for the day. Custodians will turn on lights only in the areas in which they are working.
5. Refrain from turning lights on unless definitely needed. Remember that lights not only consume electricity, but also give off heat that places an additional load on the air conditioning equipment and thereby increases the use of electricity necessary to cool the room.

Water

1. Ensure all plumbing and/or intrusion (i.e. roof) leaks are reported and repaired.
2. Grounds watering should only be done between 4am-10am. Do not water during the heat of the day, typically between 10am – 8pm.
3. When spray irrigating, ensure the water does not directly hit the facility.
4. Consider installing water sub-meters on irrigation and cooling tower supply lines to eliminate sewer charges.

Disclaimer: The organization shall adopt, observe and implement these guidelines as provided. However, these guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive, and they may be modified for local conditions. These guidelines supersede all previous instructions related to energy conservation or facility management.

Every individual is expected to be an "energy saver" as well as an "energy consumer." However, as an energy consumer, we can make a difference by taking the following steps to reduce energy consumption in offices, classrooms, residential life buildings, and even at home.

Helpful Tips

• Turn off lights when you leave the room.
• Turn off computers, monitors, speakers, and printers when not in use.
• Turn off TVs, stereos, and appliances when you leave the area.
• Unplug all chargers when not in use.
• Keep doors and windows closed when heating, ventilation, and air- conditioning (HVAC) systems are in use.
• Close window blinds and angle them up when leaving for the day.
• While room is occupied, set thermostats to 74-78 degrees for cooling and 68-72 degrees for heating.
• During summer months, set thermostats to 82-85 degrees and Auto when leaving for the day or weekend; and, leave ceiling fans running at low speed to circulate air.
• During winter months, set thermostats to 55-60 degrees and Auto when leaving for the day or weekend; and, leave ceiling fans running at medium speed to circulate air.