Most schools spend more money on energy each year than on school supplies. Your school does not need to. You can lower your school's energy bills and redirect millions of dollars each year into facilities, teachers' salaries, computers, textbooks and more, simply by using energy efficiently and by installing energy-efficient equipment. For example, energy-efficient lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems typically reduce annual utility bills by an average of 20%.

Moreover, many efficiency improvements – such as better building design and energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems – also improve our children's classroom environment by improving lighting quality and eliminating the air contaminates released by old air-conditioning units.

In response to the energy crisis in 2001 and 2002, many California teachers, superintendents and school districts have made strides to implement energy-saving practices and improvements in school buildings and to integrate energy topics into classroom curricula. The key is to continue – or begin – the actions that have proven effective over the last few years.

Take simple no-cost and low-cost steps, which can immediately impact your school's utility bill – often cutting energy costs by 10% or more:

• Turn off lights and computers in unoccupied rooms.
• Turn thermostats up or down over holiday breaks.
• Establish regular preventive maintenance schedules for building systems.
• Install controls, such as programmable thermostats and occupancy sensors, to reduce energy consumption in infrequently used areas like auditoriums and break rooms.
• Implement energy awareness programs to encourage facilities staff, faculty and students to change their energy behavior and adopt permanent energy-saving habits for school and at home.

Apply now for financial and technical assistance from utilities and businesses statewide to offset the costs and to make the improvements easier. Contact your local utility for more information on programs such as these:

School Energy Efficiency (SEE) Program offers a variety of services designed to help qualifying public and private K-12 school districts in select areas of Northern and Central California identify and implement energy efficiency upgrades to reduce school operating expenses and improve the learning environment. Program services include:

• Site surveys and audit reports to assess building performance, identify building upgrade opportunities and help prioritize efficiency improvements to reduce energy-related operating costs.
• project incentives in the form of installation support services and cash rebates that provide districts with technical, financial and administrative support on every aspect of implementing successful, comprehensive and sustainable energy efficiency projects.
• Energy efficiency training and networking opportunities that discuss topics ranging from maintenance of existing equipment to the financial and technical evaluation of energy efficient building improvements.

Funds are limited and program services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit www.schoolenergyefficiency.com.