CABARRUSCOUNTY SCHOOLS

ENERGY CONSERVATION GUIDELINES

These guidelines provide the basis for a consistent and efficient energyconservationprogram. The guidelines are designed to help maintain an environment that is conducive to the educational process and that doesnot compromise the comfort or safety of building occupants. Each employee is requested to be conscious of and assistin the implementation of these guidelines. The principal is responsiblefor thetotal energyusage at his/her school and will beprovided monthlycost and consumption reports.

GUIDELINES - COOLING SEASON

  1. Thermostats will be set at 72 degreesexcept in gymnasiums and storage areas where settings will be higher (74 degrees)due to nature of use. Due to variations in equipment and facilities, temperatures will beconsidered acceptable if they are within two degrees of the targetsetting and relative humidity is no higher than 60%.Night time setting will be 80 degrees.
  2. Adjust blinds to shield out heat from the sun. Blinds should be slanted (inside edge up) away from you at the end of the day.
  3. Cooling in mobile classrooms, that are used by staff on a regular basis (not for storage), shall be set at 72 degrees during the day and set to the night time setting, 80 degreesat the end of the scheduled school day.Mobile units, used for storage, should have their thermostats set to “OFF” or use the cooling season set back point of 80 degrees.
  4. A member of the early custodial staff shall be responsible for setting the thermostats in mobile classrooms to72 degreeseach morning before teachers arrive.
  5. Cooling systems will start approximately one hour before the scheduled start of the school day.

GUIDELINES - HEATING SEASON

  1. Thermostats will be set at70degreesexcept in gymnasiums and storage areas where settings will be lower (68 degrees) due to nature of use. As with cooling, temperatures will be considered acceptable if they are within two degrees of the target setting. Night time setting will be 58 degrees.
  2. Close blinds (inside edge down) when leaving classrooms or other areas of the building at the end of the day. Open blinds in the morning to allow sun rays to heat the building interior.
  3. Heat in mobile classrooms,that are used by staff on a regular basis (not for storage), shall be set at 70 degrees during the day and set to the night time setting, 58 degreesat the end of the scheduled school day. Mobile units, used for storage, should have their thermostats set to “OFF” or use the heating season set back point of 60 degrees.
  4. A member of the custodial staff shall be responsible for setting thermostats in the mobile classrooms to 70 degrees each morning before teachers arrive.
  5. Heating systems will start approximately one hour before the scheduled start of the school day.

Run Schedules for Cabarrus County:

*Start up time depends upon: Weather, HVAC equipment, Building envelope

*Start up time depends upon: Weather, HVAC equipment, Building envelope

*Start up time depends upon: Weather, HVAC equipment, Building envelope

Run Schedules for Cabarrus CountyCont.:

*Start up time depends upon: Weather, HVAC equipment, Building envelope.

CABARRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS

GUIDELINES - HVAC GENERAL

  1. Keep all doors and windows to classrooms and offices closed when air conditioning or heating equipment is running.
  2. Report cooling and heating problems to maintenance when temperatures move significantly

outside the established range.

  1. Keep HVAC filters clean. Check, clean and replace as necessary.
  2. When heat or air is required for after hours or week-end use, condition only that part of the building that is being used if zoning is possible. Use the minimum sized, appropriate area.
  3. Do not block HVAC vents or thermostats with furniture, equipment, books, etc.
  4. Where available, the use of overrides is discouraged and should be used only with the approval of the appropriate administrator. If used, overrides should be set for the minimum number of hours.

GUIDELINES -LIGHTING & MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Minimize after hours, nightand weekendand holiday use of facilities.
  2. Keep outside lights turned off during daylight hours. If lights remain on during daylight hours and there is no local switch to shut lights off, submit a work order to Facilities Maintenance Department.
  3. Reduce/eliminate corridor or other lighting when natural lighting is adequate.
  4. Turn off unnecessary lights in unoccupied areas.
  5. Keep light fixtures and windows clean. Dirt and grime significantly reduce light output.
  6. Turn on cafeteria dishwasher booster heaters approximately 30 minutes before using equipment. Turn off cafeteria booster heaters at the end of each school day or following completion of the lunch time dishes.
  7. Check for and report promptly to maintenance any leaking faucets, tanks, pumps, pipes, etc.
  8. Turn off lights,computers,monitors, interactive boards, printers, copy machines, laminating machines, etc. at the end of the school day.
  9. The principal or his/her designee is responsible for ensuring that their school is shut down in anenergy efficient manner at the end of each school day, including weekends and holidays.

APPLIANCES IN THE CLASSROOM

Campuses will provide refrigerators, coffee makers and microwave ovens in appropriate areas for Instructor’s use. All other personal appliances should be removed from the classroom. However, due to limited space in a few facilities, personal refrigerators and microwaves may be used to accommodate staff. This will be the Building Supervisor or Principal’s decision. Small personal appliances will also be used for educational purposes, medical related areas, and in exceptional children(s) classrooms.

All appliances that need to be plugged in for power and used for personal entertainment should be removed. Example: radios.

Space heaters use more than 1000 watts and can be a safety hazard. Thus, space heaters will not be used in any district buildings.

Fans and dehumidifiers are a necessary appliance in a few classrooms/offices where AC units are unable to control temperature and humidity. Before using these appliances staff must gain approval of the Building Supervisor or Principal.

In addition to improving safety and reducing energy consumption, this action could lead to a positive insurance underwriting decision. A positiveunderwriting rating will lead to better insurance coverage and lower insurance rates for the district and provide savings for othernecessities.

To view the position statement on APPLIANCES IN CLASSROOMS from the NCDPI, School Insurance, Division of School Support, visit

Please Note: The scheduled school day is the time period identified as school hours forstudentsat middle and high schools and staff for elementary schools.

CCS Energy Conservation Guidelines: August 2012 FinalPage 1 of 4