Idaho K-12 School Efficiency Project

The K-12 Energy Efficiency Project has sought to save energy and improve efficiency in K-12 schools throughout Idaho utilizing more than 17 million dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Energy Program (SEP) funds. This project secured savings through a combination of building process changes, mechanical system tune-ups, and the installation of hard measures implemented through building envelope, lighting, mechanical and water saving retrofits.

Since the project began; 894 school buildings received energy scoping audits, 831 school buildings received HVAC system tune-ups, 91 school buildings received energy tracking software, and 75 K-12 employees received building operator training. In addition, OER has contracted to complete HVAC retrofits and lighting upgrades across the state.

Over 137 buildings received energy efficient lighting upgrades and over 24 buildings received energy efficient HVAC retrofits.

School buildings with T12 lighting were upgraded to more energy efficient T8 lighting technology. In most cases, going to T8 lighting allowed the number of lights in a room to be reduced by half while still maintaining adequate lighting levels. Monte Woolstenhulme, Superintendent from Teton School District #401 noted that “hallway areas have better lighting that doesn’t stay on during unoccupied time; and classrooms are better lit for students and every teacher immediately commented about how much better they and their students could see in their classrooms.”

The K-12 Energy Efficiency Project is coming to an end and will conclude with an overall assessment of project savings to be showcased in the final case study.


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Building Operator Training Materials

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013