Tempe schools curb energy costs

New high-tech energy-control programs have gone a long way toward saving money for the Tempe Elementary School District.

That’s key, considering the average annual utility bill totals $3 million for the district’s 24 schools, district headquarters and the transportation facility.

The devices monitor just about every variable that affects indoor cooling, such as outside air temperature, dew point, airflow and the time of day energy use is high, said Steve Pomeroy, Tempe Elementary’s director of facilities management.
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According to Pomeroy, the district has saved more than $95,000 this fiscal year as a result of its conversion to time-of-use meters, which allow for different rates of utility usage for peak and off-peak hours. Eventually, all facilities will be equipped with cooling-control systems.

Georgann Yara
Special for The Republic

Full Story: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0801EVutilities0801.html