EnergySmart Schools

EnergySmart Schools mean healthier children and teachers – and a healthy planet. They also save money for America's school districts. On this site, you can learn more about how to:

Why EnergySmart Schools?

Schools spend more on energy than any other expense except personnel.
A high-performance school doesn't have to cost more to construct than a conventionally built school.
High-performance schools can lower a school district's operating costs by up to 30%.
Energy is one of the few expenses a school can reduce without sacrificing educational quality.
Schools are central to the communities they serve and should reflect community values – like energy and resource conservation.
Schools are a great place to teach the nation's children about energy and resource conservation.

	Plan: Building an energy-efficient school depends on "whole building" systems design, which requires more planning than for most conventional schools.
	Finance: Securing financing is an important step in any building or renovation project. For projects incorporating energy-efficient features, financing options may be available beyond the traditional choices.
	Design and Build: The greatest opportunities for incorporating energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact come in the design and construction phases.
	Operate and Maintain: Addressing operations and maintenance considerations at the start of a project can maximize benefits for decades to come.

Students and Teachers - Get Smart About Energy CD-ROM

The EnergySmart Schools program provides more than 350 lesson plans and activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy for grades K-12. Each includes a short summary that identifies curriculum integration, time, and materials. The lessons are aligned to National Science Education Standards.