Energy Conservation Program Responsibilities:
- The Cardinal schools energy conservation program is committed to providing an educational experience in an environment that is safe, responsible and sustainable in accordance with energy conservation guidelines that will reduce energy costs for the school district.
- To attain the energy conservation goals of the Cardinal school district all persons are expected to participate in the energy conservation program.
- All persons at Cardinal schools are “energy consumers” and will become “energy savers” as part of the Cardinal schools energy conservation program.
- Teachers, staff and students are responsible for implementation of the Cardinal schools energy guidelines when she/he is present in all Cardinal schools facilities.
- The Cardinal schools Administration is responsible for control of all Cardinal schools common areas that include lunch rooms, hallways, vestibules, etc.
- Regular energy program updates will be provided to the Cardinal schools board by either the Administration or a designated representative of the Administration.
- Regular energy audits will be performed by a designated person of all Cardinal schools facilities with audit results being communicated to the Administration.
- A designated individual will be responsible for directly adjusting the Cardinal schools Energy Management System (EMS), including occupied/unoccupied temperature settings and run time schedules for all HVAC equipment and other equipment directly and indirectly impacting the Cardinal schools energy conservation program.
- The Administration or designated representative of the Administration will communicate the impact the Cardinal schools energy conservation program on a monthly basis to both internal (teachers, staff, students) and external (school board, school district communities) parties.
- To maintain success and sustainability of the Cardinal schools energy conservation program, Cardinal schools will develop, implement and monitor a preventative maintenance program for all Cardinal schools facilities including HVAC, building envelopes, electrical, lighting, and any miscellaneous items identified as impacting the Cardinal schools energy conservation program.
General Energy Conservation Program Guidelines:
- Room Temperature Settings*:
Cooling Season Occupied Set Points: 74 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit
Cooling Season Unoccupied Set Point: 85 degrees Fahrenheit
Heating Season Occupied Set Points: 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit
Heating Season Unoccupied Set Point: 55 degrees Fahrenheit
*Temperature settings are in accordance with ASHRAE 55 “Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy”
- Classroom doors shall remain closed when HVAC systems are operating. Doors between conditioned and non-conditioned spaces shall remain closed at all times (i.e. between gym areas and hallways).
- All exhaust fans shall be turned OFF daily.
- All computers shall be turned OFF each night. This includes the computer CPU, monitor, speakers, and local printers (where present). Identified network equipment (i.e. LAN) is excluded.
- All laptop cabinets shall be programmed for “energy saver” mode using a power management feature. If network constraints restrict this for laptop cabinets, ensure the “sleep” feature is implemented after 10 minutes of inactivity.
HVAC Equipment - Cooling
- During cooling season occupied temperature settings shall NOT be set below 74 degrees.
- The unoccupied temperature setting will be set to 85 degrees (i.e. setback). Setback temperatures may be adjusted to 80 degrees during summer periods of extreme humidity.
- During unoccupied time periods all cooling equipment shall be OFF. The unoccupied period begins when students leave an area. Temperatures within an unoccupied room will be maintained (i.e. coasting period) to afford comfort for the remaining teachers and staff after students are gone.
- Start times (i.e. morning recovery) may be adjusted dependent upon weather to ensure spaces are comfortable by the beginning of instruction or activity.
- Ensure outside air dampers are closed during all unoccupied times. This is essential during extended winter and summer break periods.
- All ceiling fans should be running in areas where they are present.
- Relative humidity levels are NOT to exceed 60% for any 24 hour period.
- The use of cross-ventilation is encouraged during periods of mild weather. During these times periods shut down HVAC equipment and adjust internal temperatures with the use of windows and doors. For cross-ventilation to occur a space must have windows and/or doors to the outside on each side of a space.
HVAC Equipment – Heating
- During heating season occupied temperature settings shall NOT be set above 72 degrees.
- The unoccupied temperature setting will be set to 55 degrees (i.e. setback). Setback temperatures may be adjusted to 60 degrees during winter periods of extreme cold.
- Start times (i.e. morning recovery) may be adjusted dependent upon weather to ensure spaces are comfortable by the beginning of instruction or activity.
- The unoccupied period begins when students leave an area. Temperatures within an unoccupied room will be maintained (i.e. coasting period) to afford comfort for the remaining teachers and staff after students are gone.
- During spring and fall seasons when there is no threat for freezing, all hot water heating systems shall be turned OFF during unoccupied periods using the appropriate loop pumps.
- All domestic hot water systems are set no higher than 120 degrees (i.e. showers or bathrooms) or 140 degrees (cafeteria areas).
- All domestic hot water re-circulating pumps are turned OFF during unoccupied periods.
- For all heat pumps, employ a 6 degree dead-band between heating and cooling modes.
Lighting
- All unnecessary lighting will be turned OFF in unoccupied areas. Teachers and staff shall turn OFF all lights when a classroom, office or activity area is unoccupied. Where available and appropriate maximize the use of natural lighting.
- All outside lighting shall be OFF during daylight hours.
- Gymnasium and indoor practice facility lights shall not be left on unless occupied.
- All lights shall be turned OFF when teachers, staff and students leave for the day. Custodial staff will turn on lights only in the immediate area where they are working and will turn OFF all lights when work is completed in that area.
Water
- All plumbing and building envelope (i.e. roof) leaks should be reported and repaired immediately.
- All outside watering (i.e. athletic fields) shall be done between 5am and 10am. No outside watering shall occur between 10am and 8pm.
- Ensure outside watering is directed accurately onto grass surfaces only.
- Where feasible the implementation of water conservation measures (i.e. water harvesting) shall be implemented to reduce water waste.
(Upon approval by the Cardinal School Board and Superintendent, a copy of the Cardinal schools energy program guidelines shall be given to all Cardinal schools personnel. Guidelines shall be posted in staff lounges, Cardinal newsletters and websites, bulletin boards, and all other relevant areas.)
Disclaimer: Cardinal Schools shall fully adopt, monitor and implement these energy conservation guidelines as they are explained. These guidelines are not all-inclusive, and shall be modified for specific conditions such as extreme weather or events. These guidelines, as adopted, will become the Cardinal Schools primary document for energy conservation and facility management. Approved January 2017