ESCOS: Potential Funding Source for Sustainable Schools

“How can we pay for the energy efficiency improvements?” The answer is funding, which can come from a variety of sources — internal funds, bonding, debt financing, lease or lease-purchase agreements, energy performance contracts, utility incentives and government grants, to name a few. For many schools funding remains the roadblock to implementing energy efficient technologies, and internal funding is not an option.

Leasing or debt financing may provide a workable alternative. In both cases the high up-front costs can be reduced or avoided, and costs can be repaid through the savings that accrue. Another method is perfomance contracts provided by ESCO’s (Energy Service Companies). Typically the ESCO provides a service package that includes the design and engineering, financing, installation and maintenance of the retrofit. Most importantly, ESCO’s provide a guarantee of the energy savings. Schools should also take advantage of the incentives offered by utility companies for the installation of energy efficient equipment. These offers range from equipment rebates, to design assistance, to low-interest loans.

Along with the corporate world, many states have also stepped up to the plate when it comes to financing energy efficient schools. Some states are providing low-interest loans for conservation and renewable resource projects. Others provide state energy tax credits to eligible projects. Also, don’t overlook the many federal agencies offer grants or make financing available to schools for projects that affect energy efficiency. The money is available, the key is finding it.

The most important thing to remember is that being energy efficient does not necessarily translate into significant expenses. When designing new buildings the construction cost trade-offs often allow the architects to incorporate energy-efficient technologies without an increase in cost. When operating existing buildings insulate and weatherstrip, repair cracked windows, close outside doors behind you, plant trees or large shrubs to act as windbreaks or for shade, install low water-use fixture, automate building controls and turn off the lights!

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • ProTeam Launches GoFit 6 HEPA Backpack Vacuum

    Technology leader Emerson recently introduced the new ProTeam GoFit 6 HEPA backpack vacuum, according to a news release. The vacuum was designed to capture 99.97% of particulates down to 0.3 microns—including atmospheric hazards like lead dust, mold spores, and other particulates—through an advanced filtration system.

  • California High School Starts Construction on New CTE Building

    Analy High School, part of the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) in Sebastopol, Calif., recently broke ground on a new Career Technical Education (CTE) Building, according to a news release. The 15,000-square-foot facility will offer specialized facilities for students in engineering, welding, culinary arts, agricultural sciences, and design thinking.

  • modern college building with circuit and brain motifs

    Anthropic Introduces Claude for Education

    Anthropic has launched a version of its Claude AI assistant tailored for higher education institutions. Claude for Education "gives academic institutions secure, reliable AI access for their entire community," the company said, to enable colleges and universities to develop and implement AI-enabled approaches across teaching, learning, and administration.

Digital Edition