Why isn't every public school in the country pursuing Energy Star certification? What do you think are some misconceptions about the program that you could dispel for your peers?
Many school systems are too small to have staff that can or need to spend as much time on utility conservation efforts. Fulton is one of the 40 largest systems in the US and we spend a teacher’s annual salary a day on utilities so we cannot afford not to pay attention to our utilities' use and costs. Some school systems are turned off by the need to have a registered professional certify their submission for awards because they have to contract for those services. Even if school systems do not want to submit buildings for Energy Star recognition, or only submit them one time, maintaining the data in Portfolio Manager provides a good way to benchmark their facilities in a way that includes consideration of differing weather. For smaller school systems web-based applications, or database applications for larger systems, exist that can provide cost effective tracking and analysis tools and automate utility data uploads to Portfolio Manager.
Answers provided by Joseph Clements PE, CEM, Executive Director, Facilities Services for Fulton County School System, College Park, Ga.
Beginning on the Path To Energy Star Certification
Strategies for Continued Energy Efficient Performance
Misconceptions About Energy Star
Energy Star Helps Engage School Staffs, Provides National Recognition
