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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
Otsego Public Schools, MichiganVimeo
July 15, 2010
Energy Savings Benefit the Entire District from Otsego Public Schools on Vimeo.
Superintendent Denny Patzer I realize I like to talk about “going green” and conserving energy every opportunity I get, but I feel it is that it is an important topic. An organization the size of Otsego Public Schools needs to be a good role model when it comes to saving valuable resources like energy. We all need to be responsible users of natural gas, electric and water supplies. Approximately six years ago, we embarked in a partnership with Energy Education. This partnership has focused on reducing our energy consumption and ultimately our costs for utilities. It has really been a transformational program for all our buildings and several staff members have taken this concept and applied it to their home environments as well. Districtwide participation in Energy Education has been so successful that we are spending significantly less than we used to for utilities. Perhaps you’ve seen Energy Star ratings while shopping for new appliances. We just received word that all five of our major school buildings have achieved Energy Star ratings. This means that our buildings are preventing greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Energy Education manager Tom Gilmer said the process to gain Energy Star ratings was challenging, but very worthwhile. We can now show all of the five main buildings to be so efficient that they are far exceeding Energy Star requirements. In the end, we’re not only helping to save the environment, but retaining more funds in the district budget. For example, during the 2004/05 school year, our electrical, natural gas and water costs for seven facilities was $462,435.75. During construction and building renovation, our energy costs temporarily increased, but have continued to decrease. Last year we spent a total of $450,492.33 on electricity, natural gas and water to run seven facilities and the football stadium. Overall, we’ve added 150,000 square feet of buildings that we’re maintaining and operating and yet we spent $12,000 less last year than we did in 2004/05. This takes into account inflation, increased space, air conditioning, and rate increases from the electric, gas and water companies. I think this is a remarkable point resulting from a combination of our facility upgrades and changes in our personal behavior. By partnering with Energy Education, we have created a culture of conservation rather than unchecked consumption. Congratulations and thanks to all staff who made this possible.
Superintendent Denny Patzer
I realize I like to talk about “going green” and conserving energy every opportunity I get, but I feel it is that it is an important topic. An organization the size of Otsego Public Schools needs to be a good role model when it comes to saving valuable resources like energy. We all need to be responsible users of natural gas, electric and water supplies.
Approximately six years ago, we embarked in a partnership with Energy Education. This partnership has focused on reducing our energy consumption and ultimately our costs for utilities. It has really been a transformational program for all our buildings and several staff members have taken this concept and applied it to their home environments as well.
Districtwide participation in Energy Education has been so successful that we are spending significantly less than we used to for utilities. Perhaps you’ve seen Energy Star ratings while shopping for new appliances. We just received word that all five of our major school buildings have achieved Energy Star ratings. This means that our buildings are preventing greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government.
Energy Education manager Tom Gilmer said the process to gain Energy Star ratings was challenging, but very worthwhile. We can now show all of the five main buildings to be so efficient that they are far exceeding Energy Star requirements.
In the end, we’re not only helping to save the environment, but retaining more funds in the district budget.
For example, during the 2004/05 school year, our electrical, natural gas and water costs for seven facilities was $462,435.75. During construction and building renovation, our energy costs temporarily increased, but have continued to decrease. Last year we spent a total of $450,492.33 on electricity, natural gas and water to run seven facilities and the football stadium.
Overall, we’ve added 150,000 square feet of buildings that we’re maintaining and operating and yet we spent $12,000 less last year than we did in 2004/05.
This takes into account inflation, increased space, air conditioning, and rate increases from the electric, gas and water companies. I think this is a remarkable point resulting from a combination of our facility upgrades and changes in our personal behavior. By partnering with Energy Education, we have created a culture of conservation rather than unchecked consumption.
Congratulations and thanks to all staff who made this possible.
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