Alachua County Public Schools is committed to energy conservation, both as a means of saving money and protecting our natural environment. The district also takes very seriously its role in educating future citizens so that they will become responsible stewards of our planet.

To that end, the district is taking a number of steps to reduce energy consumption in its schools and other facilities.

1.  Design elements that have been included in district projects/facilities are: “Vendor-Miser” timer systems on most vending machines; low-energy fluorescent light fixtures; low-energy “EXIT” lights; occupancy sensors on all new classroom lighting; energy efficient air-conditioning and heating equipment; enhanced daylighting techniques in new classrooms; water conservation; tankless water heaters that heat water only when needed; enhanced building envelope design including thermal insulation and moisture control; digital thermostats to limit system variations; and design of outside ventilation air requirements and equipment.

2.  Energy efficient equipment has been purchased and included in district projects/facilities. Such equipment includes waterless urinals; tankless water heaters; lighting fixtures; a/c and heating equipment; digital thermostats; and LED exit lights.

3.  The district continually collaborates with Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) on projects that improve school facilities, save energy, and save money. Some recent project examples are:

a)  The water conservation project at Kanapaha Middle School utilizes reclaimed water from the GRU Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility. It is then distributed on-site through landscape features including waterfalls, streams, ponds, and a sprinkler irrigation system to enhance evaporation and groundwater recharge. The site elements are currently being reworked to improve performance, and are scheduled to be completed in time for public tours in conjunction with the 2008 Spring Garden Festival at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens on March 29 and 30^th.

b)  The solar demonstration project at Kanapaha and Westwood Middle Schools placed an array of solar collection panels at each school. The panels are connected to the science classrooms and the power grid. Through an integrated curriculum the students see the potential for alternative source energy and the effects of weather on solar production. The district is currently working with GRU to expand this program.

c)  The last of the old fluorescent lighting technology in the district was replaced during retrofit projects at Ft. Clarke Middle and Prairie View Elementary Schools. Electronic ballasts and low-energy T-8 lamps were installed throughout each school. GRU rebated the district approximately $36,000 for the retrofit efforts at the two schools. These schools together will save $13,300 annually on energy costs. They will join the other schools in the district which continue to conserve energy and save money each month through the use of low-energy lighting solutions that have already been installed.

d)  Construction activities will begin this summer to replace old incandescent and fluorescent “EXIT” lights (30 watt) throughout the district with efficient LED fixtures (2 watt). GRU will pay the total cost of replacement of approximately 890 lights, an estimated value of $67,000. This work will result in an estimated annual energy savings of $26,000 and also will provide additional safety due to the long-life of the new fixtures. The balance of other exit lights have already been replaced by the district, resulting in ongoing cost savings.

4.  GRU has outstanding in-house expertise on conservation and building systems. The district works closely with the GRU staff on selection of lighting fixtures and electrical items, efficient and effective domestic water distribution plans, natural gas equipment and piping layouts as well as the conservation efforts outlined above. All of the above projects are good examples of the excellent working relationship district staff has established with GRU and all of our utility providers, and additional partnership opportunities are being explored.

5.  Recognizing that behavioral changes are key to reducing energy consumption, the district has retained an expert consultant to assist in the development of a districtwide Best Energy Practices Guideline. This document includes educational components for teachers, staff and students, and will be implemented for the 2008-09 school year. The consultant is Brian Cumming Associates Consulting & Design Engineers (BCA) of Maitland, Florida, which has been paid a total of $22,660 to date.

A District Energy Summary has been prepared which establishes a baseline and long term energy tracking system to monitor district and school conservation efforts. Conversion to a standard, consistent, and universal unit of measure of consumption is important. This system consolidates all source energy data (electric, natural gas, LP gas, and fuel oil) into British Thermal Units (BTUs) and then normalizes everything to BTU/sq.ft. of building as the final measuring metric. This could ultimately be used to track carbon emissions at each site. The data is complete for the 2006 calendar year and is being completed for 2007.

     The district has purchased a software ‘patch’ program that will allow us to download consumption data directly into our management system, “Utility Manager Pro”. We will be able to use our local system and data to directly communicate with the “Energy Star Portfolio Manager” which is the national monitoring system developed by the U.S. Dept. of Energy which has many resources and analysis tools.

6.  Reports that have been prepared as a part of this on-going process are: a) the District Energy Summary baseline and associated conversion tables mentioned in #5 above; b) the Alachua County Public Schools Energy Awards and Incentive Program to return conservation rewards to the classroom and educate students, teachers, and staff of conservation potentials. This year-long program is scheduled to begin in August of 2008; and c) the preliminary outline of the Districtwide Best Energy Practices Guideline which will include equipment specifications and operational standards.

ANTICIPATED ENERGY SAVINGS  TALLY 

These are examples of the district’s ongoing energy conservation efforts, but they are by no means the only projects underway. The importance of energy conservation and environmental protection are significant elements of the district’s curriculum, and local teachers are using many innovative methods to incorporate these issues into their classroom lessons.

For more information on the district’s energy conservation and environmental programs, click on the links below:

   Districtwide Energy Conservation Program - 11/26/07

   Energy Presentation - 3/4/08 (PowerPoint)

   Energy Awards and Incentive Program

   Energy Saving Construction at Professional Academies Magnet @ Loften

   Energy Saving Renovations at J. J. Finley Elementary School

   Energy Myth Busters

   Energy Conservation Actions

   Local high school students helping community go green

   Teacher earns statewide recognition for lessons on science, agriculture