BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – When it comes to saving money on energy bills, Brevard Public Schools has been doing what you might be doing at your home, but on a massive basis, at schools and other buildings from one end of the county to the other.
Local 6 News partner Florida Today says the school district's savings on energy measures now totals about $4.5 million each year, compared with 2008 figures, according to Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Dane Theodore.
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"It's a big deal," Theodore said. "We have a big initiative here."
Theodore said the district's systematic approach includes:
•Setting thermostats at a standard of 76 degrees in the summer and 70 degrees in the winter.
•Switching to more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, an approach that will be escalated through money generated by a special half-cent sales tax surcharge for schools approved by voters in November.
•Turning off the lights when rooms aren't in use.
•Looking for ways to reduce water use.
"You start with behavioral modifications," Theodore said, then add in energy-saving equipment.
The district also added some other approaches you might not find in your home, including:
•Solar energy projects at 10 school locations, in which Florida Power & Light Co. and the Florida Solar Energy Center partner with the school district to pay for installation of the equipment, at $90,000 to $100,000 per location. The district saves $1,300 a year per location in energy costs. There are plans for three more solar project sites to be added.
•Changing school staff hours in June and July, during student vacation time, so that the workday runs from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the district can take advantage of a special FPL cost-saving program by not operating air-conditioning equipment during the 3 to 6 p.m. peak energy usage hours.
•Implementing a new "energy dashboard" program with FPL for online monitoring of energy usage at its buildings to look for more efficiency.
•Implementing a comprehensive district-wide recycling program, in conjunction with Waste Management.