Energy Management

 

Energy Management at Humble ISD

Humble ISD supports a very active and aggressive Energy Management Program. In 1997, an Energy Conservation Task Force was formed to study methods for Humble ISD to conserve energy and reduce operating costs for the future.

The Energy Conservation Task Force submitted a proposed policy to the Humble ISD School Board on January 13, 1998 which was subsequently approved by the Board. This approval marked a new era for Humble ISD in which energy conservation was not just a good idea, it was a District Policy. (Energy Conservation Policy).

In addition, the task force identified several projects that would save a significant amount of energy in addition to reducing the amount the District spends on energy. These projects were coordinated with Reliant Energy HL&P to capitalize on various demand-side management incentives. These projects included energy efficient lighting, variable speed motor drives, thermal energy storage and direct digital control upgrades.
 
 

Humble ISD Energy Management Mission

  • Commit to the conservation of energy and natural resources.
  • Operate facilities that provide students and staff members a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment.
  • Improve energy efficiency and increase energy savings through energy - conservation measures and optimal usage of systems.
  • Promote the importance of energy conservation.
  • Operate buildings in accordance with the Energy Conservation Policy.

 

CenterPoint Energy gave $53,762.80 for the SCORE program at the December 2012 Board Meeting. Projects at NBE, TE, and GTE replaced chillers with more energy efficient equipment. Based on the estimated annual kWh savings, the greenhouse gas reduction is 218.99. That is equivalent to eliminating the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 42.85 passenger vehicles, 24,533.47 gallons of gasoline, and 27.29 homes. Additional information on the program can be found HERE.
Pictured above, from left: HVAC tech Karo Courtney, Energy Management Ricky Jenkins, Coordinator of M&O Business Services Leigh Ann Montgomery, CenterPoint Energy Program Manager Cheryl Bowman, and Director of Maintenance Kenny Kendrick.

CenterPoint Energy gave $30,520 for the Load Shed Program at the December 2012 Board Meeting. Summer Creek High School was enrolled in the Load Shed Program to reduce electricity demand during peak electricity demand times. Get additional information HERE.
 Pictured from left : HVAC Tech Karo Courtney, Coordinator of M&O Business Services Leigh Ann Montgomery, Energy Management Ricky Jenkins, David Dzierski of the CenterPoint Energy Load Management Program, Board President Charles Cunningham, and Director of Maintenance Kenny Kendrick.

CenterPoint Energy presents check for Humble ISD's participation in the SHARE programSHARE program check awarded in late 2009
 
CenterPoint Energy awarded Humble ISD with a check for more than $70,000 for energy efficiency projects implemented in 2008 through the Schools Conserving Resources (SCORE) Program. The SCORE Program is offered by CenterPoint Humble ISD. Energy to select school districts. It helps school districts by facilitating a focused approach to using energy more efficiently. Humble ISD joined the SCORE Program in 2006. Since then, the district has increased its efforts to identify and implement energy saving measures. Thus far, Humble ISD has received more than $200,000 from CenterPoint for its efforts. High efficiency lighting, high efficiency chillers, pollution reducing boilers and temperature controls are just some of the measures that have been implemented in Humble ISD.
 
 


 

Energy Policy Guidelines
Room Temperatures

Heating Season

Cooling Season

Classrooms, Computer Labs, Library, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Auditorium and Offices
68 Degrees
74 Degrees
Gymnasiums, Field houses, Locker Rooms, Vocational Shops, Kitchens, Cafeterias, Corridors and Unoccupied Areas
68 Degrees
76 Degrees

 

  • Humidity levels will be maintained at 60 percent or less.
  • Guideline temperatures will be provided from the time school starts until one hour after classes are dismissed.
  • Buildings will be ventilated according to their original design standards.
  • Every effort will be made to consolidate and coordinate after school activities. Every campus will designate one night per week as a “Non Activity Night” and on that night will avoid scheduling discretionary after school activities.
  • Exterior doors and interior vestibule doors will be kept closed.
  • Use of individual space heaters will not be permitted.
  • Lights will be turned off in areas unoccupied for more than 10 minutes.
  • Campuses will promote water conservation in building operations and irrigation system use.
  • Desk/Floor lamps are to be discouraged, but, if used, the owner must furnish the compact fluorescent bulbs. Small refrigerators are not allowed in the class rooms.

Monitoring our systems
Monitoring our systemsOne reason Humble ISD consistently ranks in the top tier for energy efficiency is that our energy management team monitors temperatures at all buildings. If a complaint is reported, it is logged. (see pdf of sample report)
 

Q: What should you do if your room is too hot or cold?

A: Speak with your school's SchoolDude administrator. The administrator will then submit a work order via SchoolDude
 
 
 
Measuring our success
Humble ISD is one of many districts in Texas that participate in the Benchmark4Excellence program.

Initiated by Region 4 to respond to school districts' requests for useful financial, operational, and staffing benchmarks in the maintenance and operations areas, the program is endorsed by TASBO as an effective management tool and is being offered throughout the state of Texas as a “best practice” approach to budgeting, management of school finances, and organizational effectiveness.
How do we compare with other participating districts?
Major Functions included in the study include: Total & Segmented Cost / Sq. Ft. for these categories: Custodial, Building Maintenance, Temperature Control,Waste Water Charges, Maint. + Oper. Administrative Cost

Note: District names are coded for privacy. See study slides
  • In the slides presented, Humble ISD's code is MD7: M unique letter assigned within ESC Region
  • D designates the ESC Region
  • 7 designates the study year
 
CenterPoint presents Humble ISD with an incentive check for $41,636.23.  Read all about it: