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Nearly every day, at least one media outlet somewhere in the country carries a story about the success of our clients’ behavior-based 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.
Energy Education Media Contact: Jan Noel-Smith 214.273.2814 jnoelsmith@energyed.com
Energy Education Media Fact Sheet
The Republican Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Chicopee saves $1 million on energy By JEANETTE DeFORGE CHICOPEE — The school system has saved $1 million over two years by turning off lights, shutting down computers and taking other energy conservation methods. Two years ago the School Committee voted to hire Energy Education Inc., a private company that specializes in conservation by changing habits. Schools were not required to make improvements such as replacing windows. The contract, which was to pay for itself, included hiring one person who would train staff and watch schools, has exceeded expectations, school and company officials said. It is expected to cost $1.2 million over seven years and is required to save the city $3 million after salaries and other expenses of the contract are paid during that time or the company was to face penalties. "Every single person has been part of making this work," said Kenneth E. Parsons Jr., energy manager. Parsons, who was hired to oversee the program with money expected to be saved, said the company started with simple things such as urging teachers to turn off lights any time they leave classrooms. The company also has systems for places such as cafeterias which teach employees how to save electricity when turning on systems. Parsons also visits schools in the middle of the night to make sure automatic systems which are designed to lower thermostats work properly. School officials continue to look at every room in every building to see if there are ways to save energy, Parsons said. "We shut down 58 coolers and reach-in freezers this summer, that added more than $5,000 in energy savings over two months," he said. The total savings is figured using a computer model which compares the previous few years of consumption with the current use. It takes into consideration temperatures, especially when there is an unusually cold or warm season, he said. The system has showed the schools saved about 93,000 gallons of oil alone in the two years, Parsons said. While it is impossible to compare energy use of the former Comprehensive High School, to the new, larger building opened in January, an average energy usage is being tested and will be compared next year, Parsons said. Savings can translate to more teachers, programs and books and is especially important at a time when fuel costs are rising, said Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr. Other city departments are following some of the lessons learned in schools, said Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette. "We have started a program to have people turn off lights and computers at night," he said.
The Republican
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Chicopee saves $1 million on energy
By JEANETTE DeFORGE
CHICOPEE — The school system has saved $1 million over two years by turning off lights, shutting down computers and taking other energy conservation methods.
Two years ago the School Committee voted to hire Energy Education Inc., a private company that specializes in conservation by changing habits. Schools were not required to make improvements such as replacing windows.
The contract, which was to pay for itself, included hiring one person who would train staff and watch schools, has exceeded expectations, school and company officials said.
It is expected to cost $1.2 million over seven years and is required to save the city $3 million after salaries and other expenses of the contract are paid during that time or the company was to face penalties.
"Every single person has been part of making this work," said Kenneth E. Parsons Jr., energy manager.
Parsons, who was hired to oversee the program with money expected to be saved, said the company started with simple things such as urging teachers to turn off lights any time they leave classrooms.
The company also has systems for places such as cafeterias which teach employees how to save electricity when turning on systems.
Parsons also visits schools in the middle of the night to make sure automatic systems which are designed to lower thermostats work properly.
School officials continue to look at every room in every building to see if there are ways to save energy, Parsons said.
"We shut down 58 coolers and reach-in freezers this summer, that added more than $5,000 in energy savings over two months," he said.
The total savings is figured using a computer model which compares the previous few years of consumption with the current use. It takes into consideration temperatures, especially when there is an unusually cold or warm season, he said.
The system has showed the schools saved about 93,000 gallons of oil alone in the two years, Parsons said.
While it is impossible to compare energy use of the former Comprehensive High School, to the new, larger building opened in January, an average energy usage is being tested and will be compared next year, Parsons said.
Savings can translate to more teachers, programs and books and is especially important at a time when fuel costs are rising, said Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr.
Other city departments are following some of the lessons learned in schools, said Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette.
"We have started a program to have people turn off lights and computers at night," he said.
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