As part of the Better Buildings Challenge, Camas School District in Washington not only surpassed its energy efficiency goals, but did so five years early. | Photo courtesy of Camas School District.

A Washington State school district achieved 28% savings on its energy bills as part of its commitment to the Energy Department’s Better Buildings Challenge. Camas School District committed one million square feet of buildings in an effort to reduce energy usage 20% by 2020.  Now, the district has exceeded its goal five years early. 

Energy savings was achieved through by identifying inefficiencies in equipment, lighting, and control systems, and making necessary building improvements. Solutions to increase energy efficiencies were identified from a brand new conservation management program which enlisted students and school personnel to take active roles to resolve building inefficiencies.

The energy saved put the district’s schools in the top 25% most energy efficient facilities in the nation, earning them EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification, Better Buildings is an initiative designed to improve the lives of the American people by driving leadership in energy innovation.  Through Better Buildings, the Energy Department partners with leaders in the public and private sectors to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants more energy efficient by accelerating investment and sharing of successful best practices.

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The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.