School District of New Berlin News

Four SDNB Schools Earn ENERGY STAR Awards for Efficiency

Posted by School District of New Berlin on Jan. 15, 2013

Four schools in the School District of New Berlin (SDNB) — Ronald Reagan, Poplar Creek, Orchard Lane and Elmwood — have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification. The schools are performing in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide for energy efficiency and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

"Our schools are pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said School District of New Berlin Superintendent Joe Garza. "Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs.”

New Berlin schools have saved more than $3 million since the district started an energy management program in 2005, said Roger Bortmann, the district’s energy specialist.

“We are very proud of our energy program and its successes, including the Energy Star certification,” Bortmann said. “All staff members deserve credit for helping us to achieve our energy goals.”

SDNB schools follow program guidelines for daily operation of heating and cooling systems. District officials also have managed energy strategically across the entire organization and made cost-effective improvements to buildings.

Employees are asked to follow conservation guidelines, turn their thermostats down at the end of the day, close doors and windows to conserve cool or warm air, report faulty equipment and more. Monthly compliance walk-throughs began in fall 2006.

Nationally, commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment, “ said Jean Lupinacci, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.”

About Energy Star
EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Commercial buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, data centers, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, houses of worship, and warehouses. For more information about ENERGY STAR Certification for Commercial Buildings: www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings