District 33C's energy savings efforts yield financial benefits

The 2011 energy improvements were completed with the aid of grants through various agencies such as the Illinois Clean Energy Grant, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and have led to lower electricity bills for the district.

Light bulbs

One such project was the replacement of existing light bulbs in all six buildings with longer lasting, higher efficiency bulbs. By changing to bulbs that use only 28 watts (down from 32 watts), the district has an expected energy savings of approximately 8,160 watts per building per year. Fixtures were also updated in the gymnasiums and stage at Schilling School. The new fixtures use roughly half the energy as the old fixtures, and the cost to update these will be recouped by the energy savings in less than two years.

All exit signs in the district's buildings are also being replaced through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. By updating to LED exit signs, the usage per sign was reduced from 30 watts to 2 watts. In receiving the grant for this project, the district reduced the cost of replacing each sign from $37 to $12, and the reduction in energy used by each sign will offset the remaining cost in less than six months.

Buses

School buildings weren't the only district structures to receive an energy makeover. Homer's entire school bus fleet, which consists of 70 buses, was fitted with engine block heaters to help warm buses in the cold winter months. These heaters, which were completely paid for through a grant from the IEPA, allow for heating of the bus without having to idle the engine. These heaters consume only .4 gallons of fuel per hour. The heaters are set on timers, which allows for savings on labor, since drivers do not have to come in early on cold mornings to start up the buses. There is also the environmental benefit of not having all the buses running idle, thus reducing the amount of exhaust fumes released into the atmosphere.

Solar panel

Homer's students also benefit from the district's energy initiatives. With the help of a grant from Illinois Clean Energy, the district invested in a solar panel, which is mounted on the gymnasium roof of Homer Junior High on Bell Road. More than 90 percent of the cost of the panel was paid for through the grant.

The panels are set up to record energy data, which can then be used in real time by teachers for lessons on energy and energy consumption. Students can work with real, rather than simulated, data, which enhances their learning experience.

In 2012 and beyond, District 33C hopes to continue to remain responsible in its energy consumption, while also creating meaningful learning opportunities for its students. By taking the initiative to be accountable for its energy consumption, the district hopes to generate meaningful dialogue between students, teachers and community members.

Source: http://www.homerhorizon.com/Articles-News-c-2011-12-30-234127.114133-District-33Cs-energy-savings-efforts-yield-financial-benefits.html

grimm fairy tales gold rush gold rush chili recipe chili recipe grimm tashard choice