The Greendale School District is focused on reducing energy consumption. Energy efficient schools save not only the environment and taxpayer dollars, but improve the health and education of our students. Through our energy management practices and collective conservation efforts, we model positive behavior to our students. We believe that by working together, we can spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency.

Listed below are some of the steps that the Greendale School District has taken to decrease energy use and cost.

Energy Star Challenge

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Recently, Greendale joined school districts throughout the state in accepting Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton’s Energy Star Challenge. By participating in the initiative, the Greendale School District is committed to reducing energy consumption by 10%. For more information on the Energy Star Challenge, please click here for a press release from the Lt. Governor’s Office.

Facility Improvements Provide Efficiency

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Over the past several years, the district made the following improvements to decrease energy use and decrease costs:

• Installed T-8 energy efficient lighting and ceilings throughout the district, along with occupancy sensors in every room. Lighting retrofits like this one are huge energy savers. GSD did this project with help in the form of a grant from the Focus on Energy program.
• Installed new heating plants in the high school, middle school and Canterbury. These units are the latest in energy efficient design, replacing 40-50 year old boiler units.
• Installed new windows throughout GHS, replacing leaky, inoperable windows.
• Further improved the building envelopes by replacing most roofing sections in the district at every building. The district has a specific, detailed 30 year roofing maintenance plan implemented.
• Installed new restrooms, plumbing and fixtures throughout GHS that are more water and energy efficient.
• Replaced all drinking fountains in the district with energy saving models.
• Using new technologies, such as building automation controls to control the operation of heating systems, and fans and air handlers for maximum efficiency and use.
• Lights turned on and off via a control panel at the high school to save usage.
• Outside lights put on timers.
• Focus on Energy provided funding to replace the pool heating coil with energy efficient model.
• Replaced old tile flooring requiring high maintenance and high use of chemicals with high grade commercial carpet in some classrooms.
  

Operational Changes Save Energy

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The district has made the following operational changes in an effort to reduce energy consumption and provide a healthy, productive learning environment for students:

• All thermostats are set to 68 degrees in the day time and 55 degrees at night. Temperature changes at 3:00 pm.
• Ventilation ducts and grills are checked daily by staff and custodians for blockages.
• Windows and doors are kept closed during heating season.
• All broken windows, doors, weather stripping are reported to maintenance immediately for repair.
• All portable space heaters are banned from use at GSD.
• Pool water temperature is set between 78 and 80 degrees.
• All appliances and lights are turned off at the end of the day. Blinds are closed at night.
• Personal appliance use is monitored and shared where possible by staff.
• All office equipment is turned off nightly.
• Computers throughout GSD are shut down nightly via an automatic system.
• Solar heat is used during the day with the excellent daylighting available from window expanses.
• Principals, Head Custodian and Buildings and Grounds Director meet monthly to review energy use of the building. Energy use is a joint responsibility.
• Energy use is tracked with School Dude Utility Direct program and reported out.
  

Greendale - Green and Sustainable!

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The Greendale School District, cognizant of how materials are constructed, used, recycled and maintained:

• Recycles paper, plastic and aluminum/tin through Waste Management, the solid waste contractor for GSD.
• Deliberately chose low maintenance, long life cycle flooring during the high school renovation. The terrazzo flooring throughout the school public areas has an extremely long life. It requires very little maintenance, and no product use or chemicals to maintain it. The polished concrete in the lower level is a great example of using the materials in place and refurbishing them for new use. This floor is also maintenance and product free.
• Uses “green” cleaning practices and products, limiting use of harsh chemicals, while maintaining sanitation. Recently, a walk through by environmental experts from the Association of School Business Officials found our facilities extremely well-kept, sanitary, and sustainable.
• Uses a landscape consultant to guide our work in maintaining the vast open spaces owned by the district in the most sustainable and cost efficient way.