News/Press

News & Public Opinion
Westerville, OH
April 28, 2010

Energy Program Paying Off 
With Savings in the Millions

By BRETT NUCKLES
The energy conservation program adopted by Westerville City Schools in 2006 saved the district nearly $1.6 million in 2009, according to a report presented to the Board of Education Monday night, April 26.

The program allowed the district to cut electricity use by 24 percent and natural gas use by 27 percent, compared with energy spending in 2006. It also cut sewer and water expenses.

"It's crucial that we keep utilities in check," said Laura Ehninger, energy manager for Westerville schools. "We can't afford to see our costs to climbing year after year.

The savings exceed original projections for 2009. Energy expenses last year were anticipated to cost the district $5,034,782. With cost-cutting measures in place the district spent only $3,436,650.

The savings were calculated using energy consumption in 2006 as a baseline measurement. The new conservation plan was set into motion in late 2006, when the board formed a partnership with Energy Education Inc.

The district cut costs by closely monitoring the needs of faculty and cutting off heating and air conditioning when buildings were not in use. Decreases in consumption during breaks, holidays and "calamity" days were a major source of savings.

Energy-accounting software is used to locate and target problem areas.

The savings were achieved even with national increases in the cost of electricity. From 2006 to 2009 the average cost per unit of electricity rose 42 percent, according to the report.

The savings also were realized despite a 10.8 percent increase in "extreme weather" days in 2009 when compared with 2006. Weather is an important factor in gauging energy consumption because schools incur costs for heating and cooling.

"The weather is not just idle chat for us," Ehninger said. "Temperature plays a very big role when we're measuring how well our energy is being put to use."

Total savings for the district in three years under the energy conservation program amount to $4,408,314.

The savings are better than the district could have hoped for, board member Kevin Hoffman said.

"Many of us hadn't recognized how much the cost of electricity has increased over the last three years," he said. "To think of what we've been able to do in light of that is just spectacular."

The program is succeeding in its goal to provide comfortable schools with carefully monitored temperatures. Surveyed employees rated their overall satisfaction a 3.9 out of 5 in 2009, up from an average rating of 2.3 in 2004.

"One of our goals is to create a safe, efficient and nurturing learning environment," Ehninger said. "We take that goal very seriously."

The district hopes to bring energy awareness directly to its students. Ehninger herself has begun giving presentations in Westerville classrooms.

"We need to show students the importance of measuring our energy usage," she said.

The district will continue to explore new ways to save.

"There are still some things we could tighten up," Ehninger said.

"To think of what we've been able to do in light of (rate increases over the last three years) is just spectacular."