Schools across the country are implementing operational strategies to save money during the upcoming summer months. These strategies can help save hundreds of thousands of dollars. A school in Pennslyvania has already been doing this with great success.
There are many ways that schools can save money over the summer months. One of the best ways to start is to have your buildings benchmarked. This process looks at your previous 12 months of energy bills and measures how much energy your buildings use. It is a way to compare yourself with other buildings of the same size, climate, population, etc. Without benchmarking your buildings, you have no basis to start from. It is like going on a diet without ever measuring your weight or your body mass index. A benchmark will show you how much energy you really need to keep operating, and how much energy is “going straight to your thighs”. Get Benchmarked.
There are many ways that schools can save money over the summer months. One of the best ways to start is to have your buildings benchmarked. This process looks at your previous 12 months of energy bills and measures how much energy your buildings use. It is a way to compare yourself with other buildings of the same size, climate, population, etc. Without benchmarking your buildings, you have no basis to start from. It is like going on a diet without ever measuring your weight or your body mass index. A benchmark will show you how much energy you really need to keep operating, and how much energy is “going straight to your thighs”. Get Benchmarked.
Here are few more ways to save money this summer:
Four-Day Work Week
Beginning in June, some school districts operate a four-day workweek, Monday through Thursday. All facilities function in an energy conservation mode Friday through Sunday. Summer activities are designed within the Monday-Thursday workweek and are completed by early August. The district can then return to the normal five-day workweek. By not cooling, lighting, and occupying the buildings for three consecutive days each week, districts can save serious money on electricity.
One-Week Shut Down
Some school districts are even closing for a week during July to take those savings even further. Go on, enjoy the summer.
School Consolidation
Why keep all schools in the district open for summer activities? By consolidating sports, daycare, and other functions into one building, districts can run other facilities in “energy conservation mode” during the time that the facility is being cleaned and prepared for the new school year. School administrative teams can work in designated areas of the school, while maintenance managers and custodial staff can work at the schools in their region on a rotating basis.
Other Tactics:
Consolidate food into one freezer/refrigerator and shutdown the rest, turn lights off and enjoy the “cool feeling”, and reset your thermostats when you leave. Another tip is to look into a demand management program to reduce peak electricity use. This can be set up with your energy provider.
Four-Day Work Week
Beginning in June, some school districts operate a four-day workweek, Monday through Thursday. All facilities function in an energy conservation mode Friday through Sunday. Summer activities are designed within the Monday-Thursday workweek and are completed by early August. The district can then return to the normal five-day workweek. By not cooling, lighting, and occupying the buildings for three consecutive days each week, districts can save serious money on electricity.
One-Week Shut Down
Some school districts are even closing for a week during July to take those savings even further. Go on, enjoy the summer.
School Consolidation
Why keep all schools in the district open for summer activities? By consolidating sports, daycare, and other functions into one building, districts can run other facilities in “energy conservation mode” during the time that the facility is being cleaned and prepared for the new school year. School administrative teams can work in designated areas of the school, while maintenance managers and custodial staff can work at the schools in their region on a rotating basis.
Other Tactics:
Consolidate food into one freezer/refrigerator and shutdown the rest, turn lights off and enjoy the “cool feeling”, and reset your thermostats when you leave. Another tip is to look into a demand management program to reduce peak electricity use. This can be set up with your energy provider.
Maria Livingston at Tetra Tech Architects & Engineers
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