Energy program saves FPS $2.4 million

By Sue Buck
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER
March 13, 2008

The Farmington Public School District is saving energy and related costs.

Jim Pearse, who is just finishing his second year as Energy Manager for the school district, recently gave the Farmington school board a favorable mid-year update.

Before assuming his position, Pearse was the head custodian at Warner Middle School. He has worked for the school district for 30 years, serving also as a special education paraprofessional.

"I was ready for a bigger challenge," Pearse said.

A contract with Energy Education began in February 2005 and extends to February 2009.

Energy usage has decreased about 30 percent in the last year and about 40 percent so far this year, Pearse said.

The district has saved more than $2.4 million since the program started in 2005, according to Pearse.

"The money remains in the general budget for other uses," he added.

Pearse, a Farmington Hills resident, is committed to the program.

Energy Education Inc., an energy conservation firm, proposed at the onset that it could save Farmington Public Schools almost $5 million over seven years.

The idea is that every non-instructional dollar saved can be used for instructional services.

The  Texas firm, in business since 1986, has served more than 870 school districts.

The crux of the Energy Education Inc. program is changing behavior.

Pearse, who was trained by EEI, has stressed the importance of shutting down buildings when they are unoccupied during holidays, breaks and summer.

In his report, Pearse said electricity consumption is down 16 percent for the period from June through December 2007 compared with the same period the previous year and down 37 percent when compared with 2004.

"We had a great year, last year, and we are having a better year this year," he said.

Gas consumption was down 25 percent between 2007 and 2006 and 49 percent compared to 2004.

However, water consumption is up 30 percent from the same period because there was a water main break in front of Farmington High School last year.

He further explained that water and sewer usage increased because all athletic field buildings and sprinkler systems have now been completed.

The renovations were part of a 2004 bond program approved by voters.

The recent amount of energy conserved is enough to provide all of the electricity needs at East and Power middle schools for one year, he said.

Also, the amount of gas conserved is enough to provide all of the gas needs at Hillside, Gill, Kenbrook and Eagle elementary schools for one year.

ENERGY STARS

So far, eight FPS buildings have been named ENERGY STAR Label Buildings.

The ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for energy efficiency in America.

For a building to be recognized, energy consumption is analyzed for a year and is compared against a benchmark set for a particular region of the country.

Both Pearse and a professional engineer certified the buildings' performance in energy consumption and on indoor air quality.

"Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR Label use an average 35 percent less energy than similar buildings and generate one-third less carbon dioxide," Pearse said.

Energy Stars

The Label schools are:

• North Farmington High School - Fall 2007
• Farmington High School - Fall 2007
• William Grace Elementary - Winter 2008
• Gill Elementary - Winter 2008
• Flanders Elementary - Winter 2008
• Forest Elementary - Winter 2008
• Power Middle School - Winter 2008
• Administration Building - Winter 2008