Irvine, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2015) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet today announced West Irvine Elementary School has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies the school building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.
Officials from the Kentucky School Boards Association presented a certificate signed by Gov. Steve Beshear during the Nov. 19 meeting of the Estill County Board of Education.
West Irvine Elementary is the first school in the district to earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR label. The newly constructed school features geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, energy efficient roof, windows and a high-performance building envelope.
“In just one year, energy efficiency features of this this school have saved $59,000 in utility costs,” said Jeff Saylor, superintendent of Estill County Schools. “Energy savings enables the district to keep our operating dollars where we need them most – in the classroom. It’s part of being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and is the environmentally responsible choice.”
With a statewide total of 293 ENERGY STAR certified K-12 school buildings, Kentucky currently ranks second in the nation with the percentage of ENERGY STAR schools. EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. West Irvine Elementary earned an ENERGY STAR score of 86.
Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
For more information about ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings.
For more information about Kentucky’s energy efficiency program for schools: www.energy.ky.gov
