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EnergySmart Schools

Operating and Maintaining EnergySmart Schools

Space heating, lighting, and water heating account for over 80% of school energy use. Because of this, it is important to keep operations and maintenance (O&M) considerations in mind when planning a new energy-efficient school building or an energy-efficient renovation project.  Addressing O&M considerations at the start of a project can contribute greatly to improved working environments, higher productivity, and reduced energy and resource costs. Facilities management should be included during the planning phase, so that approaches to staff and occupant training, facilities monitoring, and other O&M requirements are defined early in the process.

Once an energy-efficient school has been commissioned, attention to O&M ensures that the district realizes the greatest possible benefits from the energy-efficient features. A facility manager tracks expected performance versus actual performance and helps develop a sustainability management system to maintain performance.  These managers and their crews – along with students, teachers, and other building occupants – have a vital role in ensuring that energy-saving features and equipment are being used as designed and are delivering top performance. 

For existing schools, implementing energy-efficient operations and maintenance strategies can enable school districts to save as much as 20% in energy costs, extend the life of equipment, and improve the overall physical environment in their school facilities.  These strategies range from simple no-cost measures to more complicated investments. However, many energy management strategies require small capital outlays and can produce rapid paybacks, in some cases, in less than two years.

A well-thought-out, well-executed O&M program can provide huge savings in equipment and energy costs.  A comprehensive energy-efficient O&M program typically includes procedures for:

  • HVAC systems and equipment
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) systems and equipment
  • Cleaning equipment and products
  • Materials
  • Water fixtures and systems
  • Recycling and waste systems
  • Landscape maintenance

More specific guidance and resources on what is involved in a comprehensive energy-efficient O&M program is found on DOE's Building Technologies web site.

Operating and maintaining energy-efficient systems and equipment at optimal performance may require new or adapted practices and techniques.  School Operations and Maintenance: Best Practices for Controlling Energy Costs (PDF 3.3 MB) discusses how to set up an effective energy management program, provides a wide range of technical opportunities, and summarizes real world experiences of six school districts across the country. Download Adobe Reader.

In many school districts, school facilities management may lead the challenge to save energy, cut costs, or enhance environmental responsibility.  To champion an energy-efficient school project or develop an energy-efficiency O&M campaign, here are some facts to know:

Some truths about energy-efficient O&M programs

  1. High energy costs are not “fixed;” these costs can be reduced by 5 to 20% through effectively managing, maintaining, and operating school physical plants, regardless of school age.
  2. Tools and techniques to systematically assess O&M practices, and to evaluate the magnitude of potential energy-saving opportunities, are readily available.
  3. Substantial energy savings can be achieved from improved O&M practices without significant capital investments.
  4. Administrators and staff are often unaware of O&M energy savings opportunities and decision-makers may be unaware of the long-term cost consequences of energy inefficient school operations. Many districts lack an energy policy.
  5. The biggest challenges to obtaining school district cost savings are not technical. Active and continuing support by senior administrators, as well as staff training and motivation, are critical to the success of energy-efficient O&M management efforts.
  6. A significant number of American school districts, large and small, have achieved energy cost savings by means of improved O&M.
  7. A number of external sources of support are often available to assist schools in enhanced O&M efforts.
  8. To succeed, energy-efficient O&M programs must be carefully planned and be appropriate for the size, resources, and “culture” of the particular school district.