NEEP: Northeast Schools Can Save Money and Protect Kids Health with Proper Buildings Maintenance

While NEEP SAYS, THEY HAVE A REPORT.  I’VE GOT DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME ENERGY AUDITS!!

A new guide published by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) can help school districts and other building owners save significant money with little to no capital investments by implementing techniques that keep a building operating at peak performance.

The Northeast Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (NE-CHPS) Operations & Maintenance Guide contains strategies that will help schools reduce their operating costs, as well as lead to healthier indoor air, greater energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and overall improvements in the learning environment for students and staff.

The guide comes at a critical time in the economy as many districts move away from building new schools. Moreover, they seek to cut costs and implement energy efficiency and conservation strategies in their existing schools. Developed by regional stakeholders, with input from state departments of education and efficiency programs, the guide is available for free online.

“This manual focuses on the Northeast and is an extremely valuable tool,” says Karen Verrengia, Energy Manager for Cranston Public Schools in Rhode Island. Cranston’s recent effort to reduce energy in schools has yielded $2.4 million dollars in savings. “I will be passing on copies to our administration, foremen, senior custodial staff, and school committee members while staying involved in the process of shaping the guide and advocating for its implementation,” Verrengia says.

The guide provides advice on a comprehensive range of topics. From energy and water efficiency in a school to incorporating renewable energy systems. Not to mention technologies for improved indoor environmental quality. Additionally, there are detailed guidelines for implementing environmentally friendly policies and practices for existing buildings. For example, anti-idling policies, recycling programs, using green cleaning agents, and development training for building operators.

“I think the NE-CHPS Operations and Maintenance Guide will be very useful in Vermont, where new school construction has slowed in past years and existing schools are the focus,” says Cathy Hilgendorf, School Construction Coordinator of the Vermont Department of Education. “Working in tandem with Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Superintendents Association’s School Energy Management Program, this tool will help Vermont’s existing school buildings achieve greater energy efficiency and improve learning environments across the state.”

Or you can just buy my books Green Lighting and Do It Yourself Home Energy Audits.  You will save an exorbitant amount of money so that you can fund EDUCATION NOW!!!

For the entire release, please visit the NEEP Website