Schoharie Central School saves more than $256,000 in energy costs over five years, benefiting local residents and the environment

At Schoharie Central School, every day is an opportunity to save energy dollars and the environment, and the district has achieved more than $256,000 in savings over the past five years through its innovative energy conservation program.

The savings represent 14.7 percent of what energy costs would have been without the program. In environmental terms, the energy  saved by reducing carbon dioxide emissions equates to 146 fewer autos traveling the nation's highways for one year.

Cliff Haslun serves as Schoharie Central's energy manager, and the district works in partnership with Energy Education, Inc. to conserve energy and cut costs.

"By implementing best practices for energy use throughout our buildings, we create savings, improve the learning environment and retain dollars for education — it’s the right thing to do," said Schoharie Superintendent Brian Sherman. "And, our program teaches people to make good decisions about the energy they use, and every person on our staff uses only the amount of energy needed."

Energy Education, Inc. is a behavior-based conservation company. Using Energy Education’s system, Schoharie Central has implemented a customized and sustainable program that reduces consumption of electricity, fuel oil, propane gas and water through changes in organizational and human behavior.

As energy manager for the school district, Haslun received intensive training from Energy Education in determining and implemening energy-saving techniques throughout the buildings. Haslun conducts daily energy audits to ensure that students, staff and faculty are comfortable during class time and scheduled activities, and that energy is used only as necessary.

Every energy-using item in the school district — including all heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, food service facilities, offices and classrooms, auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and computer labs — receives ongoing evaluation for the best, most efficient use of energy while ensuring that the learning environment is at its best.

To verify the program’s effectiveness and identify further conservation opportunities, energy consumption is monitored by using energy-accounting software. The software compares current energy use to a previous baseline period and calculates the amount of energy that would have been used if conservation and management practices had not been implemented.

The software also adjusts for weather, equipment additions or deletions, and changes in building use. By tracking consumption and analyzing energy use, it helps Haslun quickly identify and correct any energy use that needs to be addressed.

All costs of the Energy Education program come from the existing budget for utilities, with savings guaranteed to more than pay for the program's administration. Cost savings are reserved for other parts of the school district's operating budget. In addition, the conservation program is sustainable for years.

[12/2012]