Energy saving tips for your school

Save on electric bills in areas like lighting, heating and cooling, and equipment use.

LIGHTS

• Turn them off when you're not around, and let windows provide light where possible.
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• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR^® fluorescent bulbs.
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• Use LED lamps in exit signs instead of incandescents.
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• Reduce use of overhead lighting where possible and use task lighting instead.
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• Replace T-12 fixtures with T-8s and electronic ballasts.
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• Replace mercury vapor lights in gyms and outdoors with metal halide or T8/T5 high output fluorescents.
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• Install occupancy sensors to shut off lights when rooms are not in use.
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HEATING & COOLING

• Make sure doors and windows have tight seals. Keep them closed when running your air conditioning system.
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• Turn off fans when the building is unoccupied.
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• Install ENERGY STAR programmable thermostats and locking covers to prevent tampering.
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• Limit after-school activity locations to as few heating/cooling zones as possible and minimize system use in the rest of the building.
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• Check equipment regularly (burners, coils, air filters, ducts, etc.) for proper operation and maintenance needs.
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• Use ENERGY STAR roofing material with high reflectance.
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• When replacing heating or cooling systems, choose ENERGY STAR equipment.
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EQUIPMENT

• Turn off printers, copiers, coffee machine, etc., at the end of the day, and turn off desk lamps when not in use.
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• Activate "sleep" mode on computers.

	More Information on Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Schools- Learn how your school can benefit from the services of the School Energy Management Program in partnership with Efficiency Vermont, including a no-cost assessment of your building or your new construction plans.
	Download profiles of completed Schools projects.
	Find out more about efficient lighting for schools.
	Download more information about saving energy in your commercial kitchen. (PDF)