School's Out...for Savings

Featured Project: Conejo Valley Unified School District

Improving energy efficiency in schools helps to create a healthier and safer environment - an environment where students and teachers can thrive. Exterior lighting retrofits can enhance teacher and student security while mechanical retrofits can increase teacher retention rates and reduce student sick days due to improved indoor air quality.    

Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), one of the two school districts alongside the other 58 public agencies currently enrolled in The Energy Network, is experiencing first-hand the plethora of positive impacts energy efficiency projects can have on their facilities, as well as the people who inhabit them - including the 20,000+ currently enrolled students.

After joining the program in November 2013, CVUSD worked alongside The Energy Network to identify a total potential of 1.3 million kWh savings at 12 different facilities. The agency decided to move forward immediately with the suggested mechanical projects (EMS upgrades, HVAC replacements, etc) at 5 of the sites (two elementary schools, two high schools, and one middle school) and asked The Energy Network to support them in securing Prop 39 funds for the projects - a request which made these projects different from most.

The Energy Network went above and beyond the program's standard scope of services by assisting the agency with their Energy Expenditure Plan (EEP) and submitting the required application to the CEC under Prop 39. With The Energy Network's assistance, the EEP was approved and over $1.3 million in Prop 39 funding was secured for energy efficiency related projects. Moreover, The Energy Network continues to provide third-party advisory support for the RFQ/RFP bid preparation and will provide ongoing support after the district selects their contractor. This project will result in an estimated energy savings of over 750,000 kWh with project completion scheduled for 2016. In addition, The Energy Network was able to support CVUSD in securing $3 million in OBF funding for various lighting projects and the agency has already completed retrofits at 17 facilities with an additional 11 facilities scheduled for completion at the end of 2015 - bringing in an extra 3.1 million kWh savings. CVUSD hopes to continue working with The Energy Network in 2016 to submit another EEP for the additional mechanical projects identified at the 7 remaining sites. By completing all identified opportunities, the agency will save an estimated $900,000 annually - money which could be redirected to other needed resources.  

At first I was a bit skeptical about The Energy Network, it all sounded too good to be true. But, I must say, they have exceeded all my expectations and then some. They have become not only an integral component of our energy management team, but an extremely valuable asset to the school district as well. Their level of expertise and professionalism has been unsurpassed. They have suggested things that we never thought of, and weren't even on our radar. They have done significant amounts of work on our behalf that has resulted in substantial savings of both energy and money.

Rick Freed, Energy Educator/Manager,
Conejo Valley Unified School District

According to the DOE, school districts in the US spend more than $6 billion per year on energy - more than on computers and textbooks combined. As much as 30 percent of a district's total energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. By being more energy efficient, schools can save money, help prevent greenhouse gas emissions AND improve their students' learning environment. 

To find out how your agency can save energy and save money, or to enroll in The Energy Network's Public Agency program, please contact 1-855-700-NETWORK or email us at info@theenergynetwork.com.