Energy Star Labeled Facilities in NH
Utilizing Portfolio Manager can not only help your community track and understand your energy usage but is the first step in achieving an Energy Star Label.
View a map of NH's Energy Star Buildings
As of July, 2013, 584 K-12 schools in New Hampshire have benchmarked their energy use with ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager software. 64 of those schools have earned the ENERGY STAR Label, which means they use less energy per square foot than 75% of similar schools around the country. Meet some of the Energy Star leaders:
Utilizing Portfolio Manager can not only help your community track and understand your energy usage but is the first step in achieving an Energy Star Label.
View a map of NH's Energy Star Buildings
As of July, 2013, 584 K-12 schools in New Hampshire have benchmarked their energy use with ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager software. 64 of those schools have earned the ENERGY STAR Label, which means they use less energy per square foot than 75% of similar schools around the country. Meet some of the Energy Star leaders:
- Rochester has earned the ENERGY STAR label for all ten of their school buildings and has become an ENERGY STAR partner. The Rochester School Department set out to manage its energy use in the early 1990’s in order to decrease operating costs. Over the years, the School Department has implemented three energy performance contracts with guaranteed savings so the work would not impact operating budgets. The first phase included installing a computerized energy management system, saving the city $2.7 million in energy costs. The second phase included the installation of new ventilation equipment in nine schools, new boilers, water conservation upgrades and new windows in five schools. It also included additional lighting improvements and additional energy conservation measures such as insulating, sealing, and weather-stripping around windows, doors, and other gaps in the outer layers of the buildings. These upgrades saved the city $480,000 within the first two years after completion. The third phase of improvements that is currently underway includes converting existing oil fired burners at two schools into high efficiency dual fuel (gas and oil) burners. All of these measures not only saved the city money but reduced greenhouse gas emissions as well. “Being the third largest department in the state, it’s important to set an example that no matter what the challenges, energy efficiency can be achieved. Earning the ENERGY STAR speaks volumes for what the program has accomplished” -Richard Kalisz, Director of Maintenance, Rochester School department.
- In the Timberlane District, six buildings were found to qualify for this important award. The High School, Middle School, and the Performing Arts Center were treated as a single building because of the way heating and electric metering are handled among them. The other buildings receiving the award were the Pollard Elementary School in Plaistow, the Sandown Central School in Sandown, and the Sandown North School, also in Sandown. In receiving these awards for the Timberlane Schools, Superintendent Richard A. LaSalle noted the financial importance of making and keeping school buildings energy efficient. “We have entered the budget-making season and are very pleased to be able to point to these major ENERGY STAR awards as solid evidence of our commitment to excellent learning environments, significant energy savings, and good stewardship of the public’s money.” LaSalle also congratulated the Timberlane facilities team for this achievement: “I want to commend Jim Hughes and his great team for their year-round commitment and hard work, and for putting Timberlane out front in New Hampshire, setting the standard for others to follow.”
- Manchester, the largest city in New Hampshire with over 100,000 residents, has benchmarked energy use at 44 municipal buildings, including 22 schools, as part of a city wide effort to reduce energy use. The Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School was extensively renovated in the summer of 2009. Energy efficiency items that were implemented to achieve the Energy Star rating of 84 out of 100 include two heat recovery systems mounted on the roof with carbon dioxide fan controls, an energy management system, T-5 fluorescent lighting with motion/occupancy sensors in classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, and hallway spaces. Building envelope improvements included roof insulation that exceeded code, insulated ceilings, and exterior doors in the stair areas. Behavior modification included implementation of School District wide energy policy that mandates 68°F for heated areas. The City of Manchester plans to continue to apply for Energy Star recognition as they complete renovations at additional schools and municipal buildings.
