PARIS – Three SAD 17 employees completed curriculum in energy efficient building operations, and that could translate into saving money, according to Superintendent Mark Eastman.

Facilities Director David Marshall, Assistant Facilities Director Nelson Baillargeon and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School head custodian Roland Raymond recently completed the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Inc. building operator certification course.

Eastman said the program provides training in operation and maintenance practices that make buildings more energy efficient.

“As a learning community we try to encourage employees to improve their skills,” Eastman said. “Also, this training focuses on energy efficiency of buildings.

“More efficiency means less cost and that’s the name of the game,” he said.

In order to be certified, participants had to demonstrate competence in facility electrical distribution, energy conservation, heating and air ventilation systems and controls, lighting, building energy codes and indoor air quality.

Along with classroom study, participants had to complete assignments within their own facilities that help evaluate their energy systems and identify areas for energy savings.

According to NEEP, a recent evaluation of its program found that facilities served by certified students saved on an annual basis: 0.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity per square foot; 1.95 British Thermal Units (1 watt-hour = 3.41 BTUs) of fossil fuels per 1,000 square feet; and 0.162 gallons of water per square foot, meaning an estimated savings of $20,000 per facility per year.

Copy the Story Link