Approved: April 10, 2006 733 Rule
Reviewed: September 14, 2016
Revised: July 18, 2018
Revised: May 27, 2020
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Administrative Rule
These guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive. Our hope is that all staff and users will follow them on a consistent basis.
Objectives:
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Ensure adequate comfort of students, staff and other users of facilities.
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Control and manage cost.
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Ensure a healthful school environment in compliance with applicable government requirements.
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Set an example as a responsible user of energy and natural resources.
Responsibilities:
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Staff, students and users of the facility should strive to utilize all district resources in an environmentally conscious manner.
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The custodian is responsible for control of common areas, i.e., halls, cafeteria, etc.
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Since the custodian is typically the last person to leave a building in the evening, he/she is responsible for verification of the nighttime shutdown.
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The principal is responsible for overall energy usage of their building.
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The Director of Buildings & Grounds will perform routine audits of all facilities and communicate the audit results to the appropriate personnel.
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The Director of Buildings & Grounds will provide regular reports to principals indicating performance with regard to energy savings.
General:
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All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas should be turned off. Teachers should utilize natural lighting where appropriate and make certain that lights are turned off when leaving an empty classroom for more than 10 minutes.
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All lights will be turned off when students and teachers leave school.
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Outside lighting should be off during daylight hours.
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Gym lights should not be left on for extended periods unless the gym is being utilized.
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All lights, except security lighting, will be turned off when facilities are not occupied. Exceptions may be made for special events when safety and protection of persons or property require additional lighting.
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During unoccupied periods, custodians will turn on lights only in the areas in which they are working.
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Educational efforts will be made to help staff refrain from turning lights on unless definitely needed and to understand that lights not only consume electricity, but also give off heat that places an additional load on the air conditioning equipment and thereby increases the use of electricity necessary to cool the room.
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Coffee makers, hot plates, toaster ovens, and other appliances, not required for instructional purposes, or deemed by the Director of Building & Grounds as a potential safety hazard, shall not be kept in classrooms.
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Refrigerators, space heaters, and microwave ovens, other than as needed for instructional or health reasons, will be confined to staff and faculty planning rooms or centrally located spaces where they can be appropriately used and monitored.
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Doors and windows between conditioned space and non-conditioned space should remain closed as much as possible.
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Exhaust fans should be turned off every day and during unoccupied hours.
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Office machines (copy machines, laminating equipment, etc.) shall be switched off each night and during unoccupied times, unless equipped with a power saver mode. Fax machines may remain on.
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Computers, including network equipment, should be turned off according to guidelines set by the IT (Information Technology) Manager.
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District computer monitors and CPUs are scheduled to go into power saving mode according to District power management software parameters.
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Areas of water intrusions will be repaired and standing water eliminated.
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Positive building pressure will be maintained.
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A moisture extraction plan should be implemented when cleaning carpets.
Cooling Season Occupied Set Points: 74º F
Heating Season Occupied Set Points: 68º F
Modifications may be made in cooperation with the Director of Buildings and Grounds to deal with unique situations.
Air Conditioning Equipment:
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Occupied temperature settings shall NOT be set below 74º F.
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During unoccupied times, room air conditioning equipment should be turned off. The unoccupied period begins at the end of the regular school day, unless community activities are scheduled. It is anticipated that the temperature of the classroom will be maintained long enough to afford comfort for the period the teacher remains in the classroom after the students have left. Efforts will be made to operate air conditioning in occupied zones only.
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Air conditioning start times may be adjusted (depending on weather) to ensure classroom comfort when school begins.
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Outside air dampers will be closed during unoccupied times.
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Ceiling fans should be operated in all areas that have them.
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Relative humidity levels should not exceed 60% at any time.
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MERV (Minimal Efficiency Rating Value) 7-8 filtration is recommended (screens tiny microbes which helps minimize dust, mold and other particles that can trigger asthma attacks).
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The district wide maintenance program will ensure clean coils and drain pans.
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Air conditioning should be utilized in classrooms during the summer months only when classrooms are scheduled for summer school or other community activities. Relative humidity levels should be monitored to verify level remains below 60%. Air conditioning may be used by exception as needed (e.g. cleaning crew, maintenance, etc.).
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Keep doors closed as much as possible in areas which have evaporative coolers such as the high school, kitchens, cafeterias and gymnasiums.
Heating Equipment:
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Efforts will be made to operate heating systems in occupied zones only, except as noted below.
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Occupied temperature settings will NOT be above 68º F.
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The unoccupied temperature setting will be 55º F (i.e., setback). This may be adjusted to a 60º F setting during extreme weather.
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The unoccupied time will begin at the end of the regular school day, unless the area is used for community activities.
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Domestic hot water systems should be set no higher than 120º F or 140º F for cafeteria service (with dishwasher booster).
Local Ref.: Policy #733 – Energy Conservation
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