Ark Valley News - Valley Center school building earns coveted Energy Star certification

Valley Center school building earns coveted Energy Star certification
By The News staff
Last Updated: April 02, 2015

Wheatland Elementary School has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

Commercial buildings that earn EPA's Energy Star certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. USD 262 improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire district and by making cost-effective improvements to its building. USD 262 has prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 32 households for a year.

"Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to protecting our environment, " said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the Energy Star commercial and industrial branch. "From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA's Energy Star certification."

To earn the Energy Star, USD 262 took the following actions:

•In early 2014, the district engaged Energy Star partner and energy consultant firm Knipp Equipment Inc. to review energy usage at all schools and make recommendations for improvement.

•In summer 2014, Knipp replaced the majority of the roof-mounted air conditioning and heating units with new, higher efficiency units at Wheatland. Knipp also installed a new Trane Building Automation System, allowing the district online access to control of the new heating and air system for scheduling and operation. Finally, the company replaced a majority of the building's older, inefficient lighting with new, higher efficiency lighting.

•In tandem with the district's maintenance personnel Knipp continues to monitor the building's energy usage and performance, making corrections as needed to maximize the building's overall efficiency.

Wheatland Elementary began as the district's worst-performing school in energy used and dollars per square foot spent on energy.

The district has seen an almost 40 percent reduction in energy costs for Wheatland since the completion of the energy improvement project.

"As a local resident and taxpayer in Valley Center, this project was very rewarding," said Sean Miller, PE, director of energy services at Knipp. "Being able to take a building that was one of the lowest performers in the district and enact improvements that not only increased energy efficiency, saving both the district and taxpayers money, but to improve it to the level that allowed it to be recognized as an Energy Star Certified building is amazing."