Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will receive $375,000 for energy-related projects at seven area schools, including upgrades to heating/ventilation equipment and controls, and lighting upgrades.
LWSD is one of 59 districts in the state to receive energy-related project funding thanks to a program funded by the Washington State Legislature.
To qualify for the funds, districts were required to conduct audits of the school facilities to identify projects that could demonstrate guarantee energy savings. The districts also had to show what local financial resources they had for the project, which in the case of Lake Washington come from the 2006 Capital Projects Levy.
LWSD has already completed more than $6 million in utility conservation projects funded through that levy, and this grant helps the district extend those funds to more projects.
Lake Washington’s share of the cost for the $1.34 million in projects is $665,000, about half the total.
A third source of money comes in the form of utility incentives, which are provided by utility companies to homes, schools and business for projects and purchases that reduce energy consumption. In Lake Washington’s case, about $300,000 is expected in incentives from Puget Sound Energy.
“We have been able to do quite a few utility conservation programs that will pay for themselves quickly using local capital levy dollars,” said Forrest Miller, LWSD director of facilities in a press release issued by the district on Tuesday. “This grant money makes it feasible to complete additional projects with longer payback periods.”
The annual savings expected after these projects are completed is $61,000 so the Lake Washington School District cost will be paid back in under 11 years.
Statewide, the combination of state grant funds, district funds and utility incentives will total about $43.3 million in construction projects in 23 counties. The projects will save an estimated $2.1 million in energy costs each year.
In units of energy – primarily electricity and natural gas – the savings can be compared to the annual energy use in 2,700 average Washington homes.
Projects will be completed at:
• Eastlake High School, Sammamish – heating/ventilation controls improvements
• Evergreen Junior High, Redmond – heating/ventilation controls improvements; heating/ventilation equipment upgrades; lighting upgrades to gym and commons areas
• Inglewood Junior High, Sammamish – heating/ventilation controls improvements; lighting upgrades to gym and other areas
• Lakeview Elementary School, Kirkland – heating/ventilation controls improvements; heating/ventilation equipment upgrades; lighting upgrades
• Redmond High School, Redmond – Lighting upgrades to gym, commons, corridors
• Redmond Junior High, Redmond – Lighting upgrades to gym, commons, corridors, library
• Twain Elementary School, Kirkland – Lighting upgrades to gym, library, other areas
