Nearly every day, a newspaper somewhere in the country is carrying a story about the success of our clients’ energy conservation programs. Below are just a few examples of the great work they are doing, and the privilege it is to serve them in such tangible, noteworthy ways.
Donna Frake, Staff Writer
Oconomowoc Area Schools - A mid-year check to review the effectiveness of a new energy management program instituted by the district shows positive results. The program generated significant results in the first six-month period beginning December 2005 through May 2006.
In addition to the environmental advantages the program has produced, it has also translated into sizeable cash savings for the school district.
According to information provided by Jim Olson, the OASD's Energy Educator, the district's savings total during that time frame was $144,232; meaning that the district's energy costs were 20.66 percent less than they would have been without the initiative.
Factoring in the costs of the program, including a monthly subscription fee to Energy Education and Olson's part-time salary and related expenses, the program resulted in a net gain of $85,232.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Mike Barry said the results were "very encouraging in terms of a financial and operational impact."
Olson, a former 24-year teacher in the district, heads the district's energy management initiative in cooperation with Energy Education Inc., a national firm that specializes in helping schools save energy dollars through proven energy management and conservation efforts.
The role is a part-time, year-round position that pays an annual salary of $19,500.
Central to the achievement of its goals, the program focuses on the 12 to 14 hours a day that the district's facilities are not being used.
In addition to reasonable and consistent measures such as making sure lights and computers are shut off, doors and windows are closed and the thermostat is turned down, the program will include a large staff development component.
An "energy ethic" analyzes and monitors key areas, including lighting, heating, humidity control, mechanical and appliance systems, freeze protection, landscape watering practices, utility cost tracking, analysis and projection.
The Oconomowoc Area School District manages 750,000 square feet in school facilities. In comparison, Barry noted, the Bradley Center is 500,000 square feet.
As a result, the school district spends almost $1 million a year on natural gas, electricity and water and sewer. It is one of the district's largest, nonpersonnel expenses.
"Our efforts to manage that cost and drive some efficiencies in those costs are likely to be very worthwhile," Barry said.
The district's Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Matt Newman said three components were key to the program's success: preventative maintenance, staffing and training staff and technology.
Attention to preventative maintenance measures had been "a little deficient" in previous years in the district, but Newman said emphasis on checking valves and cleaning coils and using weather stripping, helps lower utility costs.
In addition, Newman said, strengthening the hiring process in the building and grounds department in conjunction with increased training and expectations of the custodial staff are key to the program's accomplishments.
The ability to utilize today's technology for digital set points also translates to dollars saved, Newman said.
Summit School stands in the district as a model of what edge technological advances provide in modern buildings.
The implementation of the energy program used no new budgeted money and it is expected that the district will save $1.3 million over the next seven years.
In addition to the cost savings, the district's initiative has environmental benefits as well.
Olson noted that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity use avoided prevents the emission of the following: 1.5 pounds of carbon dioxide, 5.8 grams of sulfur dioxide and 2.5 grams of nitrogen oxides.
"Our district has saved over 740,000 kWh in a six-month period. These savings are equal to 1,120,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, or 105 automobiles being removed from the highways annually, or 217 acres of trees being planted," Olson said.
Board member Sandy Schick gave kudos to the custodians, teachers and staff for adherence to the program.
"It goes even beyond that - it's an educational program," she said.
"The savings are equivalent to two teachers with salary and benefits. It's a measurable thing," she added.
©Oconomowoc Focus 2006