District 300 saves millions in energy costs

When it comes to energy efficiency, campuses throughout Community Unit School District 300 continue to earn straight A's.

Since launching an ambitious energy saving program four years ago, the district has saved more than $1.9 million, administrators said.

Principals and custodians from schools that saved the most during the 2007-2008 school year were recognized Wednesday for their efforts.

Liberty Elementary School in Carpentersville took top honors, saving $38,531. That figure is about 30 percent below its target.

"It was the whole staffs' effort and we are just happy we did it," said Rick Bockenhauer, a custodian at the school.

The top high school, Dundee-Crown in Carpentersville, saved $38,404, while Algonquin Middle School was the most efficient middle school, saving just short of $28,000.

Overall, the district saved more than $725,000, exceeding its goal by almost $68,000.

"It was doing all of the little stuff like turning off the lights," said District 300 Energy Management Coordinator David Ulm, who has spearheaded the effort since 2004.

Other energy-saving practices include replacing wasteful toilets with low-flow models, manual faucets with motion-activated models and installing automation systems allowing administrators to turn off heating and cooling systems when buildings aren't in use.

The district also purchases both natural gas and electricity through Constellation New Energy, which purchases energy in bulk at lower rates.

Under a contract with Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, Johnson pays for upgrades at District 300 schools and the district repays the company over 11 years with money saved through the conservation measures.