Behavioral Conservation

Electricity Conservation Incentive Program        

The Electricity Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP) was designed to encourage students to become aware of and through effective behavioral changes reduce the overall electricity consumption in there schools.  

 2011-2012

• The program ran September 2011 through April 2012, with 51 participating schools.
• Overall, the 51 participating schools were able to reduce their energy consumption by 464,679 kWh compared to the previous year.
  
• This translates to $30,000 in savings for the district, and schools that reduced electricity use from the previous year received 30% of the savings.
• 38 of the 51 participating schools achieved savings.
  
• Click here to download a PDF with full results for each school!
  
• Conservation tips

    2010-2011

• Overall, the 35 participating school sites reduced electricity use by 5.9%.
• That equates to $49,000 saved.
• Congratulations to the 31 schools receiving money for their conservation success.
• Results

Power Patrol

• The Power Patrol is a student-run energy monitoring program in which students monitor energy use in their school and leave reminders where lights and computers are left on, as well as thank you's where everything is turned off. This a great program for kids to learn responsibility while promoting energy conservation and saving the District valuable resources. This is an activity that students can do at any point during the year.
• Power Patrol step by step: Learn how to set up your energy saving - kid powered "Power Patrol". The PP should patrol in addition to Green Room Reps (if GRRS have been established). The PP may also be an offshoot to an established Green Team.
• "Turn off Computers" Stop Sign Small: 4 on one sheet.n Red Reminder Sign. Leave by computers.
• "Turn Off Lights" Stop Sign Small: 4 on one sheet. Red Reminder Sign. Leave by light switches.
• Doorhanger Template: Blank. You decorate and come up with conservation message. Use these to Remind or Thank a room for turning off lights and other items. Great for when you can't get into a room and for a quick patrol. PDF

Energy Audit

• One of the best ways to relate energy conservation to the real world is to have students complete an energy audit of their school.
• Students collect data and do basic calculations to estimate total electricity use and cost for the school.
• Utilizing language and social science skills, students can then design an educational campaign or project to promote energy conservation at school.
• The success of the campaign is measured by monitoring utility bills and by completing a follow-up energy audit.
  • Energy Audit form and chart
  • Audit form from Marion County, OR
  • OGS Energy Audit elementary worksheet
  • OGS Energy Audit middle-high worksheet
  • OGS Energy Audit Tool Sheet
  • Energy Audit: Annual energy and money wasted by not turning things off
  • Energy Audits from Beaverton School District
    • For Adults
    • Energy Walk-Through Observation Report

Refrigerator Replacement

    Does your school or office have an abundance of mini refrigerators? Is there a large fridge or freezer that is sparingly used? What about that dinosaur in the boiler room that’s just accumulating ice? Well, think about eliminating or consolidating these appliances.

    One of the biggest burdens on our aging electrical systems is personal refrigerators. The average 1.3 cubic foot refrigerator uses 307 kilowatt hours per year. This may not seem like a lot, but considering that there may be one of these units lurking under desks, on top of cabinets and behind walls in every classroom, the energy use adds up to hundreds of dollars annually. After a recent night energy survey at an elementary school, Facilities staff discovered 14 refrigerators! The majority of these fridges were empty or marginally used.

    In an effort to conserve energy, save money and reduce the plug load on our aging electrical circuits, the Resource Conservation Specialist at PPS is encouraging schools and offices to get rid of these unnecessary refrigerators.  Let’s start a conservation movement and put the money that it takes to run these refrigerators back into the general fund!

Plug Load Reduction

   Beginning in September 2011, PPS requires employees to limit their personal appliance use to a desk lamp (with a compact fluorescent or LED bulb), a personal fan, a clock and radio, and cellphone or headset chargers.

Memo from C.J. Sylvester, Chief Operating Officer