Competition fuels reduced energy use in U-46 schools

Students and staff at seven Elgin-area schools are breathing rarefied air -- and that air is cleaner, thanks to them.

Five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school were named this week as winners of the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program in Elgin Area School District U-46.

The program pitted school against school in a contest to see which building could reduce its electricity use the most in one year.

"We were looking for a way to encourage building participation in energy conservation," said Bryan Arnold, compliance and systems coordinator for U-46. "The idea was to get the staff in the buildings to get engaged in the process by understanding they have a stake in the outcome."

Overall, U-46 schools reduced electricity usage by 11.7 percent from the 2008-09 school year to the 2009-10 year. That amounts to $218,000 saved on energy costs, according to the district.

Larsen Middle School in Elgin was one of just five schools that reduced its electricity use by more than one-fifth last year. Head custodian Michael Bono said the school was able to beat out seven other middle schools (and claim a $3,000 prize) by turning off lights, using more natural lighting and shutting down ventilation systems when rooms aren't in use.

"It's not really a secret; it's just being persistent, shutting everything off," Bono said. "Why should I have a big air handler running - when kids aren't in there? If they're not in the space, it doesn't need to run."

Among the district's five high schools, Streamwood finished first, cutting electricity use by almost 22 percent. Five elementary schools Hanover-Countryside and Oakhill in Streamwood, Independence in Bartlett and Huff and Washington in Elgin slashed electricity use by 16 percent or more. Streamwood will receive $5,000. Each of the five elementary schools is in line for a $1,000 prize.

U-46's program is similar to that in Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300, where officials credit their annual competition with saving more than $2 million so far in energy costs.

Because of the success of U-46's program, the district plans to continue the initiative this year. Larsen Middle School isn't waiting to start defending its title.

"We've already started," Principal Randall Hodges said. "We have not quit. We want to try to improve upon this past year."