Resources for Pre-K–12 Schools

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Energy Efficiency Tips for Schools

Optimize your energy management system to reflect usage, changing weather, and peak electric situations. Light and cool only occupied spaces. Occupancy sensors and time switches can reduce energy consumption in infrequently used areas like auditoriums and break rooms.
Install door jamb occupancy sensors to ensure that outside doors are closed when the air conditioning or heat is on.
Replace atmospheric boilers with condensing combustion boilers.
Replace existing T-12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with T-8 or T-5 lamps with elec¬tronic ballasts and built-in occupancy sensors in multi-purpose rooms and gyms.
Conduct a refrigerant tune-up to properly charge heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Shedding Load During Demand Response Events

Schools that are open during the summer can implement these measures on Event Days:

Turn off non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting, signage, window displays and office equipment not in use (i.e., printers, copiers, shredders, coffee makers).
Turn off decorative features, such as fountains, lighting and ambient audio and video displays.
Pre-cool work areas, then cycle constant air volume heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units or temporarily reset static pressure in variable air volume HVAC, turn off ceiling fans and room fans, and raise temperature settings.
Facilities with package AC units can do load-cycling, temperature resetting and possibly pre-cooling.
Turn off beverage vending machines and shift use of icemakers before or after an event.
Conduct meetings during events to minimize use of equipment.
Charge batteries and battery-operated equipment prior to an event, then unplugging battery chargers and us only pre-charged equipment during an event.
Adjust employee schedules and shifts so that times of increased production or energy use occur before or after planned events.
Turn off food service equipment, non-essential office equipment, excess elevators and escalators (as permitted).
Perform dishwashing and housekeeping tasks before or after an event.
Turn off pool heating and pumps.

Free or Discounted Programs

There are numerous free or discounted programs available to help schools save energy. These include the School Energy Efficiency (SEE) Program for K–12 Schools, Matrix K-12 Private Schools and Colleges Audit and Retrofit Program, Trane Cool Schools, California Preschool Energy Efficiency (CPEEP) Program, or in some areas a local government Energy Watch Partnerships. Several PG&E Partners and Trade Professionals can work with school districts.

Frequent Projects by Schools

Optimizing energy management systems (EMS) through the Core RCx or Customized Retrofit Program.
Installing T-8 or T-5 lighting in multipurpose rooms and gymnasiums Energy Watch Partnerships, offered through local governments, can provide free retrofits. Matrix K-12 Private Schools and Colleges Audit and Retrofit Program, support lighting projects as well. Some PG&E rebates are available for specific productions.
Replace atmospheric boilers with condensing combustion boilers under the Customized Retrofit, {RSG School Energy Efficiency Program}, and {Enovity Commercial Industrial Boiler Efficiency Program}. You can also get rebates for specific products.
Use variable speed motors drives and premium efficiency motors with controls wherever possible. The Customized Retrofit Program provides incentives for upgrading from single-speed motors. Search the PG&E Trade Professionals catalog for contractors who can help.
Conduct a refrigerant tune-up to properly charge HVAC systems through PECI Air Care Plus.
Install electronically commutated evaporator fan motors (ECM) in walk-in refrigeration boxes, a project that may be covered under any one of several of PG&E’s core energy efficiency programs.