Lake Fenton Schools Save Over $400,000 on Energy

In these challenging economic times, area schools and local governments are looking for ways to cooperate and save money. To this end, is saving money on energy by participating in the Genesee County Energy Consortium with seven other districts — with over $400,000 in cost savings for LFCS so far, energy consultant Jill Sheldon told the board of education Monday.

She presented the district with an Energy Excellence Award at the board meeting.

The eight districts have saved $1.6 million to date during a three-year period, said Sheldon.

In addition to Lake Fenton, partners in the Genesee County Energy Consortium include Atherton, Beecher, Bendle, Bentley, Genesee, Genesee Intermediate and Westwood Heights schools, said President Bob Grubbs of the Lake Fenton school board.

They have saved energy as well as money, Sheldon said.

The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) website's information on the consortium said goals include decreasing energy consumption, eliminating waste and reducing energy costs. To assist districts, an energy manager provides information, tools and strategies to help them save energy. Resources include an End-of-Day Checklist for school staff members — a list of reminders at the end of the school day to turn off items that use energy before going home.

The manager visits buildings at different times of the day, night and weekends to see how each building is operating, and to search for ways to reduce energy use, the GISD website said. Areas of focus include heating, ventilation and air conditioning; lighting, plumbing and computers/office equipment. In addition, monthly gas, electric and water/sewer bills are reviewed to find energy usage and ways to avoid costs.

The website said the first priority, when there are people in a building, is to have a comfortable learning and working environment. And everyone is encouraged to use energy efficiently. When buildings aren't occupied, the goal is to reduce energy use where it's possible.