A seven-percent reduction in energy costs for Warren County schools is just a start, according to Energy Manager Phillip Crowe, who, along with school board members believes a 20 percent reduction in electrical use is possible.
“The 7.14 percent reduction is significant,” said board member Bill Zechman after Crowe reported the drop in usage when July through December 2010 was compared to the same period in 2011. “But we really believe a 20 percent reduction is feasible.”
Crowe said being vigilant in turning off electronics and lights can lead to major money savings for the school system. As an example of real money savings, Crowe pointed out the total electric bill for the school system was $745,590 from July-December of 2010 but was down to $674,696 during the same period of 2011, marking a $70,893 savings.
“I think we can still save a lot more energy,” Crowe said. “We are on the right road but we still have a long way to go.”
Crowe noted a key to saving even more money is to change habits of school system employees. During his inspections of the several local schools over the Christmas holiday, Crowe said he still found numbers of issues.
“We still have problems with lights being left on a lot after hours and computers being left on,” Crowe said, noting some computers must be left on due to updates during the evening hours. “During my walk-throughs I’ve been finding a lot of monitors, lamps, room lights, overhead projectors and closet lights left on at night.”
In addition to spot checking and encouraging smarter energy use, Crowe said he has installed a flow meter on the high school sports fields in hopes of finding out how to save money in that area.
Incoming Director of Schools Bobby Cox noted savings in energy costs can be used in other areas of education.
“Utility bills are in competition with payrolls and we want payrolls to win,” Cox said, noting reduced utility usage can even save jobs. “We could use a catch phrase, flip a switch, save a teacher.”
Zechman added he would not be opposed to basing part of the school principal grades on saving energy.
“I would like to put energy usage as part of principal ratings,” Zechman noted since the principal is also considered the caretaker of the property where he or she works.
A energy summit meeting will be held later this month with school officials meeting with energy experts from various providers like TVA to try to come up with more ways to further reduce energy costs for the school system.