School Case Studies
IDEA Public Schools, TX
Read a short case study about their project. IDEA Public Schools used ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to benchmark three schools and the headquarters building. A number of improvements were made as a result of building assessments, including adjustments to building operations that reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality. IDEA Public Schools identified and repaired faulty equipment at the headquarters building to improve solar production. All four sites obtained ENERGY STAR Building Certification, and the district intends to pursue Certification of 25 additional sites, to build on the positive outcomes of this work.
Boston Public Schools, MA
Read a short case study about their project. The BPS Indoor Air Quality Management Program and BPS Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program implemented annual school environmental audits and installed air quality monitors. Monitoring allows facilities management to record and analyze real-time indoor air quality parameters, and audits keep building conditions and air quality safe and healthy over time.
River Trails School District 26, IL
Read a short case study about their project. River Trails School District 26 undertook a deep energy retrofit of a 1960s building to become Prairie Trails School (PTS). Opened in fall 2021, PTS is the nation’s first net-zero energy school that also meets the 2018 PHIUS+ Source Zero project standard. Thoughtful application of efficiency measures and system improvements resulted in an all-electric school with an operational EUI of 24. Data verified that the school actually produces more electricity than it uses via onsite solar PV, making it “net positive”. The school acts as a learning tool for students across the district, with interactive educational displays, and the project’s success has paved the way for continued sustainability projects across the district.
Lincoln Public Schools, NE
Read a short case study about their project. Originally constructed in 1926, Park Middle School replaced its natural gas HVAC with fully electric units. The school also replaced its conventional air handling units with water source heat pumps and installed a geothermal wellfield. The new system uses heat recovery dedicated outdoor air system units to improve ventilation and thermal comfort. The school replaced windows and installed LEDs and occupancy sensors.
Bullitt County Public Schools, KY
HVAC sys
tem, lighting, and indoor air quality
Mt. Washington Elementary School in Kentucky was selected by Bullitt County Public School District (BCPS) to undergo a major renovation of the HVAC system, lighting, and indoor air quality. The 1.5-year project resulted in an annual energy savings of 32 percent and annual cost savings of $28,000.
Xenia Community School District, OH
Upgrading garage lighting to LEDs and an energy service agreement to include building HVAC controls
Warner Middle School in Xenia, Ohio is the only middle school in the nine-building portfolio of the Xenia Community School District. The district identified two main savings opportunities in the Warner facilities: upgrading garage lighting to LEDs and an energy service agreement to include building HVAC controls. The 14 month project resulted in an annual energy savings of 16 percent and annual cost savings of $27,500.
Seattle Public Schools, WA
Read a short case study about their project. Seattle Public Schools’ recommissioning team demonstrated success in driving down reactionary maintenance. The team’s building tune-up efforts were effective at lowering annual EUI by an average of 2.2 KBTU/ft2/yr. The team was instrumental in the district’s rapid COVID response to adjusting HVAC operations due to their hands-on knowledge about system performance in the district’s buildings. Work by the recommissioning team contributes to securing grant funding for further energy improvements, and is an integral part of the district’s Clean Energy Resolution passed in 2022.
Katy Independent School District, TX
Read a short case study about their project. Katy ISD replaced and upgraded building management control systems in 50 buildings and completed whole building measurement and verification. Significant reduction in energy use was achieved through enhanced sequences of operations specifications and graphics. Control upgrades also improved student and staff comfort and facilitated more efficient maintenance and operation. Facilities staff engage with students about energy efficiency through events like career days.
Parkway Schools, MO
Retro-commissioning study and building improvements
Parkway West High School in Chesterfield, Missouri conducted a retro-commissioning study that suggested performance and indoor quality upgrades. After building improvements, the project achieved an annual energy savings of 27 percent and an annual cost savings of $98,600.
River Trails School District 26, IL
Upgrade of the HVAC controls and retro-commissioned the building systems
River Trails Middle School in Mt. Prospect, Illinois implemented an upgrade of the HVAC controls and retro-commissioned the building systems. The project resulted in a 27 percent annual energy savings and an $18,900 annual cost savings.
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
Recommissioning building systems and installing energy conservation measures
Santee Education Complex was selected by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUS) to undergo a comprehensive audit after it was identified as the second highest energy consuming facility in the district. As a result of recommissioning building systems and installing energy conservation measures, the facility achieved an energy savings of 29% and cost avoidance of $226,000.
Aurora Public Schools, CO
14-month recommissioning of the HVAC system to maximize energy savings potential
Vista Peak Preparatory in Aurora, Colorado was selected by the Aurora Public School District undergo a 14-month recommissioning of the HVAC system to maximize energy savings potential. The project is estimated to realize a 20 percent EUI reduction and an annual energy cost savings of $54,000.
Lansing Public School District, MI
Read a short case study about their project. Lansing Public School District worked with district and community stakeholders and larger initiatives like Michigan Clean Cities to develop their comprehensive sustainability plan. As a result of this work, the district design specifications have been updated to require renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures. One key measure includes 10 solar installations, which is expected to save nearly half a million dollars in the first full year of operation alone. Student involvement has been an integral part of the work, and will continue through an intern program and the launch of an energy careers pathway program.
Bellingham Public Schools, WA
Read a short case study about their project. Bellingham Public Schools created a comprehensive strategic plan to not only address the emerging challenges faced by their schools, but also to empower students through activities related to leadership and learning.
District of Columbia Department of General Services
Solar energy project using a power purchase agreement (PPA)
The District of Columbia Department of General Services (DGS) implemented their solar energy project using a power purchase agreement (PPA). The portfolio included schools, hospitals, recreation centers, and other buildings. This work created 140 jobs during installation, produces about 13,800 MWh annually, and is expected to save $25 million in taxpayer dollars over its lifetime.