The following schools received Spot the Watt Energy Conservation rebates:
Brooksville Elementary
Chocachatti Elementary
Eastside Elementary
Explorer K8
Hernando High
JD Floyd K8
Moton Elementary
Nature Coast High
Parrott Middle School
Powell Middle School
Background Spot the Watt brochure
Spot the Watt program is designed to have all schools participate. Our goal as a district is to have a successful sustainability program so our choices today do not negatively impact our children’s future. The district spends millions of dollars a year on utilities. This district cost could be reduced and the money used elsewhere. It will take the cooperation of everyone to make this program successful. If people are aware that there are bigger costs involved than what may be seen, they may reconsider some choices that are made. Just being aware of the impacts and changing our habits can save the district money. Each of us can make a difference.
Hernando County Schools have been a benchmark for other school districts around the country for sustainability. We want Hernando Schools to continue to be at the forefront with our sustainability efforts. Spot the Watt program encourages schools to take an active part in energy conservation. Schools will have the ability to make decisions that will cut back on the energy consumption overall, while also providing for district energy bill savings. Schools in return will be rewarded for their good deeds!
School Level Benefit
Schools benefit by a rebate of one cent for every kilowatt hour saved. This could add up to a respectable amount of money. The money that will be given from the district to the school can be used for improving recycling, energy conservation, and water conservation, restocking custodial supplies and keeping your school looking good.
Equipment
As with almost any energy-consuming equipment, the easiest way to save energy is to switch it off when not needed. Lights that can be shut off during unoccupied hours should be shut off promptly at the end of each workday, and over weekends and holidays. If no one is in the classroom turn off lights and computers. Additional savings can be achieved in our school buildings through close coordination with custodial hours. Utilizing Energy Management Systems (EMS) to their full potential through proper scheduling can drastically reduce energy costs. EMS can automatically shut down lights in unoccupied areas as well as adjust HVAC systems to unoccupied levels.
Energy Tracking
Each month data for energy consumption at each school will be collected and entered into a database. The Maintenance Department will monitor energy consumption for schools. At the end of each quarter, data will be tallied and summarized. This information will be sent to the Superintendent for review. Any school that has shown an improvement in their efforts to Spot the Watt will be recognized with a refund based on an amount of one cent per kilowatt hour saved.
Energy Conservation Ideas for Schools
- Schools can save anywhere from eight to 20 percent in lighting energy simply by turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.
- Turn off computers and printers when not in use.
- Doors and windows should be closed when the heating or air conditioning systems are operating.
- Clearing books and papers off the tops of unit ventilators could save 10 percent of heating and cooling energy.
- Instead of having microwaves and refrigerators in every classroom, only allow one per hallway. This would drastically cut down on the energy consumption at each school.
- Keep non-essential outside decorative items that require water and electricity to a minimum.
Last Updated on Wednesday, January 02 2013 13:58
