Reduced Energy Usage Saves $1.86M in 3.5 Years in District 196

While Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district employees and students saved more than $1.86 million since December 2007 by reducing energy usage in schools, to save more money the district will not renew its contract with the program that has helped it accomplish its energy-reduction goals.

At an August meeting of the district's school board, Scott Gjesdahl, the district's purchasing and receiving supervisor, reported on the district's energy-saving accomplishments and explained how the district will continue energy-saving measures without use of the Schools for Energy Efficiency program, which helps K-12 schools save energy by changing the way employees and students use energy in schools.

The $676,144 in savings during 2009-10—the largest amount in a year during the district's contract with SEE—was the result of a 14-percent reduction in energy usage throughout the district, Gjesdahl said. Staff and students' conscientious electricity usage accounted for 80 percent of the energy savings, he said.

By the end of the contract with SEE in November, the district likely will exceed a $2 million savings, Gjesdahl said, despite the summer's exceptionally hot days; the return on the investment with SEE should be $10 for every $1 spent.

Sixteen schools met the 13-percent energy-reduction goal, while eight schools achieved a 20-percent reduction. Because of these efforts, those 16 schools received an Energy Star label, he said.

District 196 has the most Energy Star schools in the state, Gjesdahl said, and has the fourth-lowest energy consumption per square foot of schools out of 19 SEE districts.

Instead of contracting with SEE in the future, the district will start a BEE 196 program, short for Better Energy Efficiency in 196.

The goal for the next year's BEE program would be to reduce energy usage by 13 percent throughout the district, Gjesdahl said.

Creating simple strategies and a consistent effort in things like closing shades, turning off lights when leaving a room, setting temperature standards and leaving tip sheets in classrooms should yield positive results, he said.

The idea is that lots of people doing small things will make a big difference, he said.