It is always a good day when saving energy results in saving money that goes back to Berkeley County School District's schools.
BCSD's facilities department just received a $19,720 rebate check as a result of making some LED lighting upgrades at Cane Bay Middle. This was accomplished via a grant program offered through Berkeley Electric Cooperative.
Jason Bunch, energy manager for BCSD, works to identify the district's most energy-consuming facilities by cost per square foot. He also works with district departments to upgrade as much of the equipment as possible to save energy. This includes AC equipment, lighting and more.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative offers a grant program for whenever BCSD makes lighting upgrades, the Coop offers a percentage payback of the total job.
"We continually do upgrades and roll over the money to fund future projects," Bunch said. "This particular project involved changing out roughly 5,500 light fixtures. Our electrical department does this in house, saving us the labor costs of these projects."
The total cost of this project exceeded $40,000. In turn, Bunch said BCSD got almost a 50 percent return through the grant – "not to mention the energy savings each month."
The district had a similar win back in March, when the district earned a $16,120 rebate check after making lighting upgrades at Sangaree Middle.
The district looks forward to working alongside Berkeley Electric Cooperative for future lighting upgrades.