SLV schools cutting energy costs

The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District is in the midst of a state-funded energy retrofit that will consume less energy and save money each year, by replacing lighting and using more energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment across the district.
State energy officials gave final approval last month for the district to embark on a $400,000 second phase of the project, said Chris Shiermeyer, chief business officer for the district.
Money was approved by the California Energy Commission for the district’s charter schools in January, and the balance of the plan last month.
The school district has made progress in reducing energy usage as a result of a major lighting retrofitting project funded by Proposition 39, the “California Clean Energy Jobs Act” K-12 program. Proposition 39 provides money to improve energy efficiency and expand clean energy in schools.
“Energy efficiency is important to us,” SLV Superintendent Laurie Bruton said this week.
“We need to provide the very best opportunities that we can for students – being aware of our environment and our energy consumption assists in that mission.”
The school district worked with the Association of Monterey Bay Governments on an energy audit and identified lighting and heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) retrofitting as the most cost-effective way to reduce energy use.
In the first phase of the retrofitting, all lighting was replaced with high efficiency LED bulbs throughout Ludlow Preschool, in the SLV High School cafeteria, and in the SLV Middle school gym.
In addition, seven HVAC units were upgraded to high-efficiency units and 21 ‘smart’ thermostats were installed.
The total cost of the project was $163,314 but it will save the school over $10,000 each year and result in the savings of 58,362 kWh annually, said Holl. She estimated that is the amount of power used by approximately six homes over a year.
The second phase of funding approved last month will improve the energy efficiency of exterior lighting at SLV Elementary, Middle, and High School and Boulder Creek Elementary School, as well as pay for additional specific interior lighting projects at each of the four schools.
This second phase is projected to result in approximately twice the energy and cost savings of the first phase, said Shiermeyer.