Schools K-12

Educational facilities often generate excessive energy waste. Cut energy costs, enhance your operations and improve student performance with these simple energy-saving tips.

Savings Opportunities: Peak Demand Management

Take simple steps now to boost energy savings and manage demand at your educational facility. Learn how to align your energy use with your service plan while providing an optimal learning environment.

HVAC

• Install smart thermostats or an energy management system (EMS) to provide more precise temperature control in classrooms and assembly areas.
• Align temperature set points with student activity.
• Inspect and replace air filters regularly to achieve energy savings and avoid breakdowns.
• Schedule seasonal tune-ups to check air conditioning refrigerant levels, gas furnace/boiler burner operation, clean internal components and tighten loose connections.
• Install shade screens or window film to reduce solar heat gain.
• Replace older air conditioning units or boilers with energy efficient models and save 30% or more.
• Implement rooftop economizers to pull in cool outside air, saving up to 10% on cooling costs.

To see if your business qualifies for free AC maintenance services, please visit the LADWP AC Optimization Program website. If you have questions, please email acopt@ladwp.com or call 1-855-665-9469.

Plug Loads

• Use the power management settings on computers and monitors so they go into power saving mode when not in use. This can save up to $50 per computer each year.
• Centralize multifunction devices like printers and copiers.
• Unplug electronics such as laptop and tablet computers once charged. Adapters plugged into outlets use energy even when not charging.
• Use smart power strips to turn off copy machines and printers when not used for extended periods.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR-certified computers, TV monitors and kitchen appliances, which are 35% to 60% more efficient than standard models.
• Use vending machine controls to reduce lighting and refrigeration loads during periods of non-use.
• Turn off computers, TV monitors and vending machines overnight.
• Use timers on exterior signage.

The LADWP offers incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. For more information visit the LADWP Custom Performance Program website. If you have any questions, please email custom@ladwp.com or call 1-213-367-3436.

Water Conservation

• Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. They can help conserve water and reduce the amount of energy needed for water heating.
• Use native landscaping to reduce the need for irrigation and incorporate learning opportunities about local wildlife.
• Periodically inspect plumbing for leaks. A single leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 40 gallons a week.
• Buy Energy Star-certified clothes washers for laundry facilities. They use about 45% less water than standard models.

The LADWP offers rebates for water conservation equipment. For more information please visit the Water Conservation Rebate Program website.

To learn how your business can obtain free water conservation items, send an email to waterconservation@ladwp.com or call 1-800-544-4498 and press "5."

Lighting

• Purchase indoor lighting with an 80+ CRI color quality rating.
• Replace fluorescent lamps with LEDs and save 30% or more.
• Use high illumination levels and high CCT color temperatures (more than 4000K) for instruction and testing.
• Adjust lighting to lower illumination levels and lower CCT (less than 3000K) for creative spaces.
• Install an energy management system (EMS) to centralize control of lighting in occupied spaces.
• Turn off all lights in unoccupied spaces of your school.
• Install occupancy sensors in low foot-traffic areas like restrooms.
• Use skylights to introduce natural light and reduce the need for overhead lighting. Students exposed to natural daylight show faster progress on math and reading tests.
• Select higher color quality and light levels for outdoor lighting to enhance safety in parking lots and visibility on playgrounds and sports fields.

To see if your business qualifies for free energy efficiency upgrades visit the Commercial Direct Install Program (CDI) website or call 1-877-714-1254.