Energy Management
As part of the 2006 CORSE initiative, a recommendation was made for the district to find ways to reduce energy use. A District Energy Committee was established and options were explored to determine next steps in energy conservation and savings. Rebuild Michigan, a free service to the district, conducted an Introductory Energy Evaluation that consisted of a review our buildings, mechanical equipment, HVAC systems, temperature controls, and lighting. The Rebuild Michigan report also provided us with benchmark data of comparable buildings.
If you would like to share energy savings suggestions with us, please email your suggestions to Randy Westerman westerman@dexter.k12.mi.us.
To assist us in implementing a comprehensive energy plan, a part time energy manager was employed in July, 2009. Randy Westerman, our Energy Manager, brought 30 years of experience in working in school operations. He has been analyzing our facilities, talking to principals, and setting plans in place to help us reduce our energy usage. Recently, he shared data regarding electricity and gas savings we have realized since he began. To view the graphs that describe this data, click here.
Part of our Energy initiative includes changing the habits of our staff and students in addition to assuring we are mechanically efficient. This effort has gone exceptionally well at one of our schools, Wylie Elementary. Wylie is leading the way in making energy conservation a building-based initiative and a way of life for staff and students.They have a Wylie Goes Green website that can be viewed here.
We are just at the beginning of our energy savings journey, and we know that we have avoided over $90,000 in energy costs when we compare our usage from July-January (06-07) to July-January (08-09).
ENERGY COMMITTEE
The energy committee met on December 1, 2009. Below is the agenda, minutes and a use cost comparison from the 12-1-09 meeting: