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Across the United States, school districts spend more than $8 billion a year on energy. In many municipalities, schools are the largest energy consumer. But up to 30 percent of that energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily.
Through simple changes in behavior, schools have found that a 10 percent reduction in energy usage can be achieved quickly and easily. In fact, a school that engages in good energy practices can end up using over one-third less energy than the average school. Efforts usually focus on heating and lighting systems, but inefficient use of technology can be addressed too.
By implementing energy conservation measures and using energy efficient technologies, schools can significantly cut energy use while using data to engage in STEM investigations, resulting in financial savings and reduced environmental impact.
Energy Fast Facts
- Using one kilowatt of electricity in the U.S. emits roughly 0.85 pounds of CO2 per kWh.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use only a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
- Schools spend more money on energy than on computers and textbooks combined.
- Many idle electronics—such as TVs, projection systems, and personal microwaves—use energy even when switched off. The cost of these devices is roughly $19 billion annually on a nationwide basis.
- Painting a school roof white or some other highly reflective color to minimize the heat it absorbs can often reduce peak cooling demand and cooling energy use by 10 to 15 percent.
Following the Framework
Utilize the Seven Step Framework to complete your pathway.
