Waste Reduction Partners recently completed 100 energy audits for community colleges, K-12 schools and local government under contract with the State Energy Office. WRP engineers conducted these audits across 26 western North Carolina counties in fiscal year 2009. Forty-three assessments were made for community colleges and 57 were conducted at local governments and K-12 school systems.

Overall, engineers recommended an estimated $700,000 in annual utility savings opportunities, which were ready achievable through mostly no-cost and low-cost projects. On average, 10% saving in total energy utility costs were identified, equivalent to $0.17 per square foot annual cost savings. In the aggregate, these 100 facilities had an average annual utility cost of $1.32/sf and consumed 65 kBtu/sf. These common performance benchmarks are slightly better that average for similar facilities in the southeast but still present significant energy efficiency opportunity improvements.

Common energy efficiency recommendations included lighting improvements and occupancy sensors; upgrades to HVAC and related controls, and building envelop improvements. Limited maintenance staffing and investment dollars for upgrades and maintenance were identified as key needs.