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.
Tecumseh schools’ energy use down 30 percent since 2004 The decline in energy use has come as the cost of natural gas and electricity has increased.
October 10, 2007 By David Panian Daily Telegram Staff Writer
TECUMSEH — Since the district implemented an energy management program in 2004, energy use in the Tecumseh Public Schools is down more than 30 percent.
“It doesn’t matter if you look at natural gas or electric, the trend is obvious,” energy manager Ted Rachwal said at Monday’s school board meeting. “We’re using less.”
In the base year of October 2003 to September 2004, the district used 6,461,896 kilowatt hours of electricity and 451,709 cubic feet of natural gas, according to information Rachwal presented to the board. From September 2006 to August 2007, the district used 4,108,005 kilowatt hours. Natural gas use in the base year was 451,709 cubic feet. From September 2006 to August 2007 the district used 278,573 cubic feet.
The decline in energy use has come as the cost of natural gas and electricity has increased. According to U.S. Department of Energy figures, in Michigan since October 2003 natural gas costs 37 percent more. From 2003 to 2005 — the last year for which the energy department has released data — electricity prices increased 8 percent.
Rachwal said if one were to look at the district’s utility bills now compared to before the program was implemented, the current bills would be more than they were three years ago. However, he said they would be much higher without the reduction in use during that time.
“The only thing we can control is how much we use or waste,” Rachwal said. “If you use less, you pay less.” The amount of the district’s utility expenses was not available Monday evening. Superintendent Mike McAran said the district receives its gas and electricity through a consortium.
“We’ve reduced our consumption, but the prices keep going up,” trustee Debbie Johnson-Berges said after the meeting. “The teachers have done a good job of reducing the amount of consumption.”
“It’s nice to see that savings,” trustee Jody Manes said after the meeting.
Retired science teacher Rachwal was hired as the part-time energy manager after the district signed up with Texas-based Energy Education Inc. Part of his job involved making sure the school buildings’ thermostats are set according to when the buildings are in use and reminding staff members to turn off computers and room lights when not in use.
“Mr. Rachwal is there to remind us of what is right,” board president Mark Wolfe said.
The district is in the final year of the contract with Energy Education, which is paid based on how much the district saves. As part of the contract the district receives software Rachwal uses to track energy use.
Rachwal said the two buildings with the most energy use is the administration building and the community pool.
“It’s not that the board wastes energy; it’s a wasteful building,” Rachwal said.
The administration offices are in the 88-year-old building at the corner of North Ottawa and East Shawnee street that has served as the district’s high school and middle school. Rachwal said part of the energy inefficiency of the building comes from the numerous window air conditioners in use, and the building does not have central air conditioning. Copyright © 2006 GateHouse Media, Inc.