Energizing Savings: Energy Star initiative benefits LPS students, staff, taxpayers

January 13, 2025

The phrase “reaching for the stars” has a money-saving meaning for Lincoln Public Schools taxpayers this year.
 
A record number of LPS buildings have earned the prestigious Energy Star label for their energy-efficient footprints. To be eligible for Energy Star certification, a building must achieve an Energy Star score of at least 75 points on a 100-point scale. A score of 75 indicates that it is more energy efficient than at least 75 percent of similar structures nationwide.
 
LPS had 31 buildings that underwent the Energy Star certification process in 2024. There were nine certified structures in 2022 and 22 the following year.

 
LPS Sustainability Coordinator Brittney Wees said she was thrilled with the numerous Energy Star recipients. She said facility upgrades and energy-efficient habits from staff and students are responsible for the increased number of award winners.
 
“I am very excited to see this number continue to grow each year and to continue demonstrating that LPS has high-performing buildings all across our district,” Wees said. “We actually have over 50 buildings that are eligible for Energy Star certification. We have been slowly adding more and more to our list each year as data becomes available for the application process.”
 
Wees said energy-efficient buildings allow LPS to save money on heating, cooling and ventilating those spaces. For example, geothermal heating and cooling systems – which are more economical than traditional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) methods – save LPS approximately $4 million each year. Recent indoor air quality (IAQ) projects have added better insulation, more energy-efficient lights and new light-controlling occupancy sensors to schools.
 
LPS Director of Operations Scott Wieskamp said the school district maintains a comprehensive recordkeeping system for energy usage. This has helped LPS identify and solve energy issues at its buildings, which has led to many positive outcomes.
 
“A byproduct of good recordkeeping is that you can confirm that your buildings are performing well or not so well,” Wieskamp said. “For those that are underachievers, we dive into the details as to why not, and hopefully make course corrections to improve their productivity and efficiency, thus energy savings, the ultimate goal.”
 
To obtain an Energy Star score, LPS Sustainability Team members enter 12 full calendar months of actual metered energy usage data into a computer program. They also provide information such as the building’s location, square footage, hours of operation and total employees.
 
The computer program uses the data to calculate how much energy a building uses compared to similar structures. It also takes into account independent variables such as hours of operation. For example, a building that is open 24 hours a day – and therefore uses more total energy – is not penalized compared to a location that is open ten hours a day.
 
An independent licensed professional must verify the building’s energy data in order for it to be certified. The professional also evaluates the structure’s overall indoor environmental quality, which Wees said was a critical element to consider.
 
“It is important to note that in addition to saving money, the energy management practices of the district also provide more safe and comfortable spaces for our students and staff to come to each day,” Wees said.
 
Pyrtle Elementary School is one of the school district’s most energy-efficient spots. The 1964 building has received an Energy Star score of 99 each of the past three years. Humann Elementary School posted results of 97 each of the past three years, and Goodrich Middle School tallied a 99 last year and 98 this year. Belmont Elementary School has also been an energy leader with scores of 96, 97 and 95 the past three years.

 
Wees said Irving Middle School is a prime example of the importance of IAQ projects at LPS. The school received a geothermal ground source heat pump system, new exterior windows and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting a decade ago. Those improvements helped Irving collect Energy Star marks of 97 in 2022, 98 in 2023 and 97 this year.
 
“After their IAQ project in 2014 their Energy Star score jumped up about 30 points,” Wees said. “And now this school that was built in 1927 has an Energy Star score of 97, which is impressive for any age of building.”

 
Wees said Northeast High School is also an Energy Star success story. It became the first certified LPS high school this year with a score of 84.
 
“High schools are tricky because the buildings are used all day, all year long by the community, and the swimming pools are a big energy consumer as well,” Wees said. “Plus, the original building was constructed in 1941, so it is always impressive to me how the district invests in our facilities and is able to create these efficient and comfortable spaces even in our oldest schools.”

 
Wees said she has been pleased with the energy-saving measures LPS has taken. She feels more buildings will have Energy Star labels on their front windows in future years.
 
“We really pride ourselves on all buildings performing at a high level of energy efficiency,” Wees said.

Visit home.lps.org/sustainability to learn more about initiatives to reduce energy costs and increase comfort and safety at all LPS buildings.
 
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