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Energy Conservation
Energy conservation means reducing the amount of energy consumed by engaging in more efficient practices and using more efficient equipment.
Schools can conserve energy through improved:
- Lighting, insulation and equipment use
- Replace incandescent lights with fluorescent lights where appropriate.
- Install occupancy sensors in frequently used rooms.
- Retrofit or use T-8 lamps and ballasts.
- Retrofit or use vending machines with LED circuits.
- Reduce heat loss by upgrading weather stripping, caulking, insulation, glazing and door and window hardware.
- Use natural lighting as much as possible.
- Conspicuously place signs to remind students and staff to conserve energy and turn off lights, computers and other equipment.
- Kitchen practices
- Consolidate food stored over the summer in as few refrigeration units as possible.
- Shut down unnecessary refrigeration units over summer.
- Minimize food warming and refrigeration needs.
- Operations and maintenance procedures
- Establish a baseline for minimum energy performance and monitor energy use.
- Establish a method to check building regularly for energy waste and report to maintenance staff.
- Purchase energy-efficient equipment such as products that carry the Energy Star label, indicating that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
- Encourage the efficient operation of equipment, including shutdown when not in use.
- Restrict the use of supplemental space heaters, refrigerators, coffee pots and other appliances.
- Establish minimum cooling and maximum heating set points.
- Minimize heating and lighting of unused spaces and match equipment settings to use schedules.
- Establish an equipment repair schedule to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
- Retrofit or replace equipment to reduce or eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halon and promote the use of alternative, renewable energy sources.
- Establish a written policy that addresses some or all of the above.
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