Milford Schools Save $433,000 in Energy Costs

 received a national distinction, the Award for Energy Stewardship, for the district’s efforts toward changing the behavior of students and faculty and setting up concrete methods to reduce energy costs.

The $433,000 figure takes into account the amount paid to the energy savings consultants who helped set up and implement this program, according to the New Haven Register. The total savings, before payments, is $479,000.

Simple things like turning off lights and computers, as well as more complex issues like ensuring that schools are not expending unnecessary energy during off hours have all contributed to the savings of $433,000. 

The Numbers 

Electricity:

• Average Cost Decrease: 23.54%
• Total Avoided Use: 1,522,384 KWH
• Total Electric Savings: $278,820

Natural Gas:

• Average Cost Decrease: 21.1%
• Total Avoided Use: 122,883CCF
• Total Gas Savings: $174,183

From May 2011 - April 2012:

• Total Saved: $453,003 
• Average Cost Decrease: 22.5% 

Since January 2011:

• Total Saved: $479,046

Top Four Milford Schools in Energy Conservation

Former Mayor James Richetelli, Jr. has been vital in getting the program up and running. He said, "Because the program is changing the culture of the students up until the board, we wanted to honor the top achieving schools in saving energy consumption. we went on a consumption basis on an energy level."

• Calf Pen Meadow
• Live Oaks School
• East Shore Middle School
• Jonathan Law High School

It was emphasized that all of the schools are doing terrific, these were just the top four.

Jim Galletly, the northeast regional vice president for Energy Education, the company that worked with Milford on this initiative, summarized the progress made so far rather succinctly: "The change in consumption patterns is over 20% from the baseline to where we are today. You're now spending in five days, what you used to spend in four. One day a week, free energy in the district."