Energy Conservation

Creating a Healthy Environment For

Tomorrow, and Saving Money for Education

Today

Do We Have a Choice ?

Courtesy of Tom Toles and UB Guide to Campus Ecology

• US school districts spend $6 billion each year on energy, second only to salaries1

1.5 billion of this, on average, is wasted due to energy inefficiency2

• A study of 851 schools found: From 2000 to 2001, when inflation

was 3.4 percent, per pupil expenditures for energy rose from $137 to $166 (22 percent)3

Energy Demand in Schools

The Influence of Small Changes…• A few days after a big blackout in 2003, the

University at Buffalo was quick to respond to an emergency request from the regional grid to cut back its electricity use.

• Maintenance personnel took steps to turn off equipment and lights that were not absolutely necessary.

IN 1 DAY, the savings amounted to:

$11,157.36

Changing Your School’s Energy Use• Top energy performing schools use 3X

less energy than the least efficient schools!

• First Steps:

Perform an Energy Survey or Audit Implement a Policy or Resolution Start with No Cost or Low Cost Options

Easy Solutions-No CostEnergy Item Action Savings

Lighting Turn lights off when not in use, and use daylighting

Up to 8-20% of lighting energy

Heating/Air Conditioning

Set thermostat as low as possible

For each degree, up to 5% savings

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Limit after school activities to as few heating/cooling zones as possible

Up to 25% of heating/ cooling costs

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Do not block air flow

to HVAC vents Up to 10% of heating/ cooling costs

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Keep doors/windows closed while HVAC runs

1-25% of space conditioning energy usage

Office Equipment Turn off machines when not in use

Up to 10% of building energy usage

Courtesy of PG&E

Easy Solutions-Low CostEnergy Item Action Savings

Lighting Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent

Up to 50% of lighting energy

Lighting Replace incandescent exit signs with LED lamps

Up to 5% of lighting energy

Lighting Use more task-lighting and less overhead

25-50% of lighting energy

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Perform scheduled

maintenance Up to 10% of space conditioning energy

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Install locking covers on thermostats

Up to 10% of system energy usage

All Uses Select student energy team to monitor

Up to 15% of total facility energy usage

Courtesy of PG&E

Easy Solutions-InvestmentsEnergy Item Action Savings

Lighting Replace T-12 fixtures with T-8's & electronic ballasts

Up to 20-30% of lighting energy

Lighting Replace mercury vapor fixtures in gyms or outdoors with metal halide, high-pressure sodium or T8 or T5 high output fluorescents

Up to 10% of lighting energy

Lighting Install occupancy sensors Up to 20% of lighting energy

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Install ENERGY STAR ®-labeled programmable thermostats

10-30% of space conditioning usage

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Install ENERGY STAR ®-labeled equipment.

20-30% of space conditioning energy usage

Air Conditioning Install ENERGY STAR ®-labeled roofing material with high reflectance

Up to 10% of air conditioning energy usage Courtesy of PG&E

Energy Star• Products meet strict energy

efficiency standards set by US EPA and the US Department of Energy

• In 2005 the US saved enough energy to:

Avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million cars

Saved $12 billion on utility bills Helped avoid 28,000 megawatts

(MW) of peak power

Demand Cleaner Energy!

• Contact your Board of Public Utilities to see if clean, local renewable energy sources are available

• Incorporate renewable energy into the power pool that serves your needs

Student Involvement

• Create signs to educate about saving energy

• Write articles in the school paper

• Research projects examining energy usage over time

• Contests between student groups

• Science projects dealing with energy

Courtesy of APOGEE Interactive

Success…Now What?

Evaluate energy conservation after changes

Estimate financial savings Reinvest your savings for future

projects

Publicize your success

Why Is Energy Conservation Important?• Energy production has negative

effects on the environment and human health

Courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources in Maryland

The Products of Fossil Fuel Use Greenhouse Gas

emissions increased 16% between 1990 and 20041, and carbon emissions are expected to grow 45% between 1990 and 20152

The Most Recent Data in 2003 Indicates…

• US Energy Sources released:

256.4 million metric tons of Methane

228 thousand metric tons of Nitrous Oxide

1021.1 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide

142.4 million metric tons (carbon dioxide equivalent) of Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, and Sulfur Hexafluoride

Health ConcernsAir QualitySmog NOx and SOx In the United States, about 2/3

of all sulfur dioxide and ¼ of all nitrogen oxide comes from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal

Particulate Matter A mixture of particles that can

adversely affect health

ToxinsArsenic and Mercury

Photo Courtesy of David Suzuki Foundation

Why Do Greenhouse Gases Matter?

Courtesy of tiscali.reference

Why Do Greenhouse Gases Matter?• Historic link

between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature rise

What Does the World Look Like with Global Warming?• One study suggests that with minimal climate

warming,18% of the species studied would become extinct; with moderate climate warming, about 25% would become extinct; and with maximum warming, 35% would become extinct1

• The climate of Greenland may warm enough during the next few centuries to eventually eliminate the Greenland ice sheet, raising sea level by 7 meters (23 feet)2

• Sea ice cover in the Arctic is declining by 9 percent per decade3

• The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased by 80 percent worldwide during the past 35 years4

Sea Ice 1979

Sea Ice 2003

In Summary…•Energy production includes environmental and human health costs.

Global Warming

Acid Rain

Smog

Neurological Toxins

Cancer

Asthma

Energy Production

In Summary…• You have the power to make

a difference

“Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect.”  ~Chief Seattle, 1855

Questions?