School district receives more than $102,000 for energy-saving efforts

Published 5:11 pm Friday, October 11, 2013

Renton School Board members were recently presented two checks totaling more than $102,000 from Seattle City Light and local energy services company Ameresco for improvements at the Secondary LEarning Center and exterior LED lighting upgrades at schools and facilities across the district.

Energy incentive programs are offered by utility companies to promote energy conservation by encouraging customers to design and install energy efficient lighting, make building improvements, heating and cooling upgrades and energy management system improvements. The incentive payments cover a portion of the costs associated with energy conservation projects.

Seattle City Light presented the district with a $52,668 incentive check for energy management system enhancements at the Secondary Learning Center. The improvements provide the ability to better control lighting and mechanical systems, resulting in cost savings from lower energy consumption and lower maintenance and operations costs.

Ameresco presented the district with a $49,528 incentive check for the exterior LED lighting-replacement project. Primary funding for the project was provided by voters in the 2008 school construction bond, along with an energy grant form the state’s educations office. The LED lighting project is estimated to save the district more than $21,000 per year in reduced energy consumption and significant maintenance savings due to the projected 100,000 hour life of the exterior LED fixtures.