Maybe you’ve noticed the ENERGY STAR symbol on a refrigerator or light bulb. It’s a sign that a product has been created to be as energy efficient as possible, without sacrificing performance. It’s also a sign that could eventually save $1 million annually in taxpayer funds in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township .
MSD Wayne has begun working toward that $1-million savings goal by achieving ENERGY STAR certification for the first time for one of its buildings, Wayne Preparatory Academy. In partnership with Gibraltar Design of Indianapolis, MSD Wayne has created energy efficiencies at Wayne Prep to earn this EPA award.
Improvements at Wayne Prep include a more efficient heating and cooling system, the installation of drop ceilings, and new LED lighting. This means Wayne Prep now uses less energy, is less expensive to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.
“We plan to develop similar energy efficiencies and achieve ENERGY STAR certification for all our buildings,” says MSD Wayne Superintendent Jeff Butts. Once fully implemented, these energy efficiencies would result in $1 million savings each year in the district’s energy costs.
“It’s important for us to be good environmental stewards,” says Superintendent Butts. “And with ongoing uncertainties about state funding for public schools, it’s more important than ever for us to be good stewards of the tax dollars provided for our school system.”
