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You are here: APS Home → Maintenance & Operations → Energy Conservation Efforts → Successful Energy Conservation Pilot Program

Successful Energy Conservation Pilot Program

In addressing the District’s critical need to reduce energy costs, M&O conducted an energy conservation pilot program at two APS high schools, Sandia and Highland. Completed in October 2010, the $750,000 investment (paid out of Capital funds) far exceeded expectations. The complete lighting retrofit was comprised of retrofitting all bulbs, ballasts, fixtures, sensors, and other lighting controls at both schools. And while the new systems are under a two-year warranty, bulbs and other elements are expected to last at least five to seven years with no replacements necessary. Any and all needed maintenance will be performed by the manufacturer at their expense for the first two years.

The retrofits will save the district approximately 28% of kilowatt use per year over the previous systems at an annual energy cost savings of roughly $145,000. Add this savings to the $85,000 one-time PNM rebate and $40,000 in labor, maintenance, and materials savings, and APS will save $270,000 in the first year and approximately $185,000 in Operational funds annually thereafter. The pilot program will pay for itself in 3.2 years when the PNM rebate is factored in and 3.8 years excluding the rebate. If the necessary funding was available to retrofit all facilities in the District, the savings for APS would be extremely significant, thus meeting the goals of the District to save valuable operational dollars.

Successful Energy Conservation Pilot Program

The criteria for this project included:

  1. Reduce energy and operating cost.
  2. Improve quality of light for learning purposes.
  3. Decrease maintenance costs.
  4. Reduce annual pollution* released by APS.
  5. Qualify for PNM energy efficient lighting retrofit program.

* In doing this retrofit, the District is kind and respectful to Mother Earth and realizes an annual pollution reduction of approximately:

  • 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide
  • 18,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide
  • 10,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide
  • the equivalent of 9,000 acres of trees planted
  • 1,850 cars removed from the streets
  • 420,000 gallons of gasoline saved

Utility costs have moved from the elephant in the corner of the room to the elephant in the center of the room, and the major focus of M&O’s budget and operation of schools. As there is so much being spent on utilities, it presents an opportunity to also save much through prudent energy conservation practices.

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