Energy Conservation

Energy Conservation

P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

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

Energy Demand in SchoolsUS 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


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


Do not block air flow to HVAC vents

Up to 10% of heating/ cooling costs


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 Cost


Energy Item Action SavingsLighting Replace incandescent

bulbs with compact fluorescent

Up to 50% of lighting energy

Lighting Replace incandescent exit signs with LED lamps


Lighting Use more task-lighting and less overhead

25-50% of lighting energy


Perform scheduled

maintenance Up to 10% of space conditioning energy


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-Investments


Energy Item Action SavingsLighting 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


Lighting Install occupancy sensors Up to 20% of lighting energy


Install ENERGY STAR ®-labeled programmable thermostats

10-30% of space conditioning usage


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 StarProducts 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 InvolvementCreate signs to educate about saving energyWrite articles in the school paperResearch projects examining energy usage over

timeContests between student groupsScience 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 Quality

Smog

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

Toxins

Arsenic and Mercury P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

Photo Courtesy of David Suzuki Foundation

Why Do Greenhouse Gases Matter?

P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.orgCourtesy 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.


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?


Documents

Energy Conservation