Date:  January 16, 2002
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

 Since its inception in FY 1995, Prince William County Public Schools’ Energy Management and Conservation Program has saved more than $3 million dollars in potential energy costs, of which nearly $1.3 million has been rebated to schools for use in educational and support programs.  Last year, forty-nine schools shared a total of $258,542 in rebates in this optional program.
 

Woodbridge Middle School classroom with new energy saving recessed lighting.

Energy costs that rose nearly 25 percent in the early 1990s and projections of continuing increases led school officials to seek solutions.  In July of 1993, a pilot Energy Conservation and Cost Saving Program was implemented at six schools.  These six schools were chosen because they were the highest users of energy and thus represented the best opportunity for savings.  A study conducted at that time showed, not surprisingly, that the majority of energy dollars were spent on electricity, or about eighty percent of total energy expenditures.

  The pilot program was based solely on the adoption of conservation techniques; no funds were to be spent on energy saving technology.  Each pilot school’s baseline usage was determined by averaging energy consumption from fiscal years 1990, 1991 and 1992.  Schools that could show a “cost avoidance,” as measured by comparing current performance against the established base line, would be entitled to a rebate equal to fifty percent of cost avoidance.
 

Representatives from the Plant Operations Department’s Energy Office explained the program to principals at the school sites and walk-through energy surveys were conducted.  These surveys, which usually included the principal and a representative of the appropriate energy utility company, were used to point out energy savings opportunities in a given building.     Presentations were also made to school staffs.  Total “cost avoidance” for the pilot program, July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994 was approximately $100,000, of which half was paid out to the pilot schools.

Woodbridge Middle School head custodian Horace Jefferson shows old-style lighting to  Tom Colbert, technical services coordinator  and Derek Cornelison, technical services specialist.

 The success of the pilot program prompted consideration of expanding the program to include the entire school division.  During the summer of 1994, meetings were held with school principals, baseline information was presented, payout procedures explained and energy management and conservation techniques were offered.  Principals were asked to appoint a Building Energy Coordinator and encouraged, with matching funds provided by the central office, to implement low cost conservation projects: up-grade of insulation on exterior doors and windows, purchase of task lighting and more.  Presentations providing an overview of energy management were also made to cafeteria and custodial managers.

 As the program progressed through its first year, education and awareness was expanded to include the student populations.  The students continue to be a vital part of the energy conservation efforts.  Student art classes have designed light switch covers reminding teachers and other students to turn out lights when a class leaves a room.  One school appointed a student “light brigade” which patrolled the building during lunch and recess periods to insure that energy was not wasted.  Many schools opted to appoint class “energy captains” who were responsible for turning out lights.  Schools have vested a science/ecology club or student government organization, promising these groups a portion of any earned rebate.

 The schools being recognized today for outstanding success in this program have developed their own ways of conserving energy.  At Rockledge Elementary School, they have reduced the amount of light in hallways and the number of light bulbs in many non-instructional areas.  Light switches have been installed in all student bathrooms, where lights previously burned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Lights are also turned off in teacher workrooms and classrooms when they are not being used.  Rockledge’s efforts this year resulted in cost avoidance of $11, 004, which, with adjustments for the presence of a special childcare program located in the schools, translates to a rebate of $6,422.  Rockledge has used previous rebates to purchase custodial supplies and special equipment, staff development and to meeting a variety of student needs, including books, tutoring and special programs.
 

Tom Colbert presents check for $6,442 to Rockledge Principal Sandra Carter. Also pictured (l-r) are Occoquan District School Board representative Steve Wassenberg, building manager Comfort Ahenkora, PTA president Stephanie Geck, and bookkeeper Debbie White.

 At Woodbridge Middle School, they have collected data to determine where energy is being wasted.  As a result of their research, they have changed all the schools exit sign lights, and changed about one hundred light fixtures to energy saving lights.  Low light is maintained in hallways.  A special effort is made to turn off lights in areas where students and staff are not present and keep doors and windows closed.  This year, Woodbridge Middle will receive a rebate of $7,134, based on cost avoidance of $14,268.  The school will use this money for building and grounds beautification, custodial supplies and equipment, student recognition and instructional supplies.
 

Tom Colbert presents check for $7,134 to Woodbridge Middle School Principal Judy Warme. Also pictured are (l-r)  Susan Conklin, ecology club sponsor, Horace Jefferson, head custodian and two ecology club members.

Woodbridge Middle School replaced old-fashioned bulbs in exit signs, resulting in substantial savings.

 At Gar-Field High School light bulbs have been removed in non-instructional areas and lights are tuned off in areas not in use.  Caulking and weather stripping around doors have been added around doors.  Wall-mounted heating units located near outside doors have been disconnected and air conditioning is turned off in the building over holidays.  Gar-Field will receive a rebate of $15,245 this year, based on cost avoidance of $30,490.  Gar-Field is using the rebates to recarpet this school.  According to Principal Roger Dallek, “our carpeting is 25 to 30 years old, which makes it difficult for our custodial staff to maintain.  Over the past two years, we have replaced the carpeting in all the main halls on the upper level, the auditorium, the main office and in some classrooms.”
 

Tom Colbert presents check for $15,245 to Gar-Field Principal Roger Dallek. Also pictured (l-r) are Assistant Principal Cavalier, Building Engineer Lynn Sanford, Custodians Rosa Vivanco and Rose Roca, Custodial Manager Anthony Lovelace, and student Tania Howard.

 In 1995, program designers Shaun McTighe and Tom Colbert were invited to present a workshop on the program at the World Energy and Engineering Program.  In 1996 program along with Colbert and McTighe, received a third place award from American School and University magazine.  They also earned a Team Performance Staff Recognition Award from the school division in 1999.

 For more information on the Energy Management Program, contact Tom Colbert, Technical Services Coordinator, at 703-791-7402.