K-12 Energy Smart Schools Program
Teaching energy in the classroomA productive learning environment is a safe and comfortable space. It has an abundance of natural light, ventilation, efficient equipment, and sustainable operations that increase comfort while saving money.
Through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), K-12 school districts throughout the State have access to programs that offer information, and financial incentives to make schools healthier and more productive learning environments.
Many schools are interested in using performance contracting to implement needed upgrades for their facilities and achieve energy savings.This sample Request for Proposal [DOC] can help the school select the best Energy Service Company for their project. Districts are encouraged to make whatever changes and customizations necessary to fit their specific needs.
For efficiency tips check out our latest no-cost/low-cost energy saving tips brochure [PDF|3.57 MB].
For examples of what other schools in New York State have done to reduce their energy use, please see our booklet Recognizing Excellence in Energy, Management and Sustainability [PDF].
NYSERDA Programs
Interested in Energy Education?
- Energy Education in the Classroom - Attention teachers! The Energy $mart Students Program, a K-12, classroom education program for New York teachers, is sponsoring free workshops for teachers. Sign up for energy education training today!
- SchoolPowerNaturally - Solar and wind education designed to educate New Yorkers about energy, and, in particular, the role solar electric power – photovoltaics, or PV – and wind power generation can play in providing clean energy for our homes, schools, and workplaces.
- Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation, and Protection resource page for teachers and students – explore the world of power generation and how it affects you and the environment.
Interested in Renewable Energy?
Interested in Alternate – Fuel and Reduced-Emission Vehicle Programs?
- Visit NYSERDA's Alternative-Fuel Vehicle Program page for more information on how NYSERDA encourages fleets to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) and install fueling facilities or charging stations.
Interested in Technical and Financial Assistance Through NYSERDA?
NYSERDA is dedicated to providing objective technical and financial assistance to New York 's K-12 schools. The program assists New York 's school administrators and facility managers in building and maintaining school buildings that provide a safe, healthy, and energy-efficient environment learning environment.
The following list represents the Program Opportunity Notices (PONs), and other forms of assistance available for eligible school districts.
- NY-CHPS High Performance School Guidelines
- The purpose of NY-CHPS is to provide a framework that helps school districts and their design teams design and build sustainable school buildings that enhance the educational environment and facilitate learning. High performance schools optimize resources over the life of the facility, are less expensive to operate than standard buildings, and help to ensure healthy, safe, and high quality learning environments for all occupants.
- High Performance Schools Design and Operations Online Training - Attention architects and engineering firms! This training is a great tool to educate the project design team and the entire facilities and operations staff responsible for building and operating a high performance school. Make your next high performance school design a great success, with a design and facilities team that will keep the school operating in peak performance. Architect, Engineering and Automation & Control Firms To Help Build a High Performance School.
- School Energy Benchmarking [PDF] - How energy efficient are your schools? Would you like to find out? Well, now you can…for FREE! The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), through TRC Energy Services, is currently offering the newest technologies available to analyze and rank the energy performance of K-12 schools in New York State . Already, more than 15% of all public schools similar to yours have taken advantage of this FREE service. In fact, some of these schools have taken steps based on our recommendations to become more energy efficient and have already begun to see SAVINGS! For additional information please view a sample report. [PDF]
- For efficiency tips check out our latest no-cost/low-cost energy saving tips brochure. [PDF] For examples of what other schools in New York State have done to reduce their energy use, please see our 8 page booklet Recognizing Excellence in Energy, Management and Sustainability.
- NYSERDA has also developed several free tools to help schools reduce their energy consumption. Please try our Plug Load Estimator [XLS] and HVAC Setpoint Estimator. [XLS]
Case Studies
Interested in Assistance From LIPA and NYPA?
- LIPA provides informational resources, guidance, incentives, and renewable energy to its customers. School officials should be aware that they can access LIPA funding and assistance from NYPA at the same time. For information, please visit Long Island Power (LIPA) or call 1-800-692-2626.
- NYPA offers a turn-key approach to energy services including, audit, design, construction and financing of an energy services project. The project financing is offered at a low-interest rate and repaid through sharing the project’s energy savings, after which the participants retain all the energy savings. For more information, please visit New York Power Authority or call or call NYPA's business development office at 518-433-6734.
Contact Us
For further information please contact NYSERDA toll-free at 1-866-NYSERDA, or locally at 518-862-1090, or email to: info@nyserda.org
Last Updated: 03/16/2012