Appleton Area School District Earns Energy Conservation Certification

20 Appleton Area School District buildings have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Certification. This recognition is presented to the most energy-efficient buildings in the country.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from ENERGY STAR,” said Appleton Area School District Superintendent Greg Hartjes. “It’s proof we’re operating more efficient buildings for our students and community.”

“Our energy conservation efforts are saving taxpayer dollars while also helping protect the local environment. Since partnering with Cenergistic on a comprehensive energy conservation program we have saved $1,0061.26. The environmental impact of this is equal to taking 979 cars off the street or planting 120,526 trees in our community. We are proud that ENERGY STAR is recognizing our program’s success.”

20 buildings earning ENERGY STAR Certification include: 
Badger Elementary
Berry Elementary
Columbus Elementary
Dunlap Elementary
Edison Elementary
Einstein Middle School
Ferber Elementary
Fox River Academy
Highlands Elementary
Horizons Elementary
Houdini Elementary
Huntley Elementary
Johnston Elementary
Kaleidoscope Academy
McKinley Elementary
Morgan Building
Richmond Elementary
Foster Elementary
Valley New School
Wisconsin Connections Academy

To earn ENERGY STAR Certification, buildings must rate in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency and meet ventilation standards.

The cost of utilities is the third largest budget within the Facilities Department for the Appleton Area School District, and the prices for electricity, natural gas, heating oil, and water have been steadily increasing. To combat these rising energy and utility costs, AASD entered a partnership with Cenergistic to implement a comprehensive organizational behavior-driven energy conservation program throughout all its buildings and campuses. Cenergistic guarantees the conservation program will save taxpayer dollars.

Since the program was first implemented, Appleton Area School District has reduced its energy consumption by 9.7%.

Appleton Area School District’s comprehensive energy conservation program addresses energy use throughout the organization. Energy specialists track energy consumption at all campuses through state-of-the-art technology to identify and correct areas where energy is over-used.

Jennifer Schneider, AASD District Energy Specialist, works closely with AASD staff as well as Cenergistic engineers and experts to continually optimize systems and schedules. Together they monitor energy use with advanced technology and shape energy-using practices through education — affecting how each person in the organization understands, uses and saves energy for years to come. The outcome is healthier, more efficient buildings using less energy — and lower related costs.

Cenergistic client energy conservation programs have saved more than $6.7 billion for educational, governmental, and ministerial organizations since 1986.

Its science-based programs and patented technologies are designed to optimize energy performance and create budget flexibility to help allocate savings where partners need it most. This customized energy conservation management approach provides clients with more control over energy use with no upfront costs, no new equipment, and no equipment retrofits.