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The BKW Middle/High School has received an
ENERGY STAR from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
classifying the building as one of the most energy efficient in
the nation.
The Middle/High School building received an
ENERGY STAR rating of 95 out of 100. Engineers found the
building also uses 48 percent LESS energy than typical buildings
across the country.
"The ENERGY STAR is the mark of superior energy
performance and identifies your building as one of the most
efficient buildings in the nation," writes Jean Lupinacci of the
EPA's ENERGY STAR program. "By taking this important step along
the path to energy efficiency, you are not only saving money -
you are preventing the release of greenhouse gases and
protecting the environment."
The award has been a number of years in the
making, according to Maintenance Director Peter Shunney. The work began
in 2002, when a number of measures were taken to begin replacing
faulty, inefficient heating and lighting equipment. The results
were astounding: overall fuel consumption was reduced by half,
while electricity consumption dropped by more than 83,500
kilowatt hours. This generated a savings of more than $110,000
in fuel prices alone.
"We do little things every year," Shunney says.
"And apparently, it adds up."
More work will be performed this summer,
this time on the boilers to increase heat efficiency.
Still, Shunney believes the Middle/High School,
and other district buildings, still have room for
improvement when it comes to energy efficiency. That is why he
strongly supports a proposal for the district to enter into an
energy performance contract, which would install
energy-efficient equipment in and around school buildings at no
additional cost to taxpayers.
For more on the energy performance contract,
go here.
"I'm happy about the award, but I thought we had
a ways to go," he said. "I'm of the mindset that you can always
do better." |
