Background to Public School Energy Conservation Projects

In 2008 we started an analysis of energy usage from the perspective of taxpayers concerned about lower revenues for public schools from declining property taxes leading to reductions in school related services and subsequent negative impacts on students, teachers and parents. Newspapers indicated a looming $4M budget deficit in just one northern Virginia county. Sample school findings and recommendations for immediate implementation in Phase 1 of this community-based project 

Elementary – 873,720 kWh / $71,293 (Dominion VA Power) - c.1990

1) 1 meter, excellent heating and cooling patterns indicating airtight buildings 2) With $500K* in PTO funds saved, use a % to install renewable energy options including solar tubes, geothermal heating / cooling, wind generation (watering garden), and solar panels for unique projects 3) Install a garden in the enclosed (outside) atrium as a pupil learning tool 4) A local business contributed $50,000* of these dollars and might be interested in being the key sponsor along with other local (larger) environmentally sensitive companies 5) Replicate experiences to other public schools 6) *Details reviewed January ’09 (Support Council) 7) Generated newspaper article on energy conservation (see link at end of page) 

Middle School – 1,344,120 kWh / $144,951 (NOVEC) c. 1973 / 1989, 2002 (additions)

1) Peak heating month was February with heating costs unusually high 2) Recommend examination of heating equipment before the next cold weather season 3) Publicize energy leaks to principal, staff, students 4) Bring NOVEC onsite as they have free energy audits for customers 5) Negotiate a better billing rate with NOVEC as higher than Dominion 6) Cooling equipment costs show extremely favorable trends and a model for other schools to follow 

High School – 2,608,989 kWh / $215,996 (Dominion Virginia Power) c.1994

1) 2 electric meters for this school 2) Prior $4M renovation project for air conditioning ducts / systems increased efficiencies of equipment, staff knowledge and kWh usage 3) Both meters show similar usage trends 4) Cooling costs peak in late June then drop during the summer break as expected 5) Spring high usage range shows unusually large changes in low to high usage with spring highs in February / March - discuss with onsite District Facilities Manager

Schools and Energy: www.fauquier.com/news/2009/jan/23/schools-account-county-energy