Wilmore Elementary School certified ENERGY STAR

Raised score from 68 to 84

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (March 26, 2015) — The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet announced that Wilmore Elementary School has earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies the school building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.

energy Jessamine County Schools Energy Manager John Clemons said Wilmore Elementary has had annual energy savings of more than $10,000. The 15-year-old school was recently renovated with energy efficient lighting and a HVAC system that controls heating and cooling during times when the school in unoccupied. The district also implemented a “dark campus” program, turning off lights when buildings are shut down, to further reduce energy consumption. Teacher and student participation also contributed to the school earning ENERGY STAR certification.

Wilmore Elementary School is currently completing a pilot project to earn Kentucky’s first U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for Existing Buildings (LEED EB).

“Wilmore Elementary School’s ENERGY STAR certification is a direct outcome of the LEED EB project,” Clemons said. “Our ENERGY STAR score has risen to 84 from the original 68 at the project’s inception. When completed, Wilmore will serve as a model, showing other schools how to reduce energy, implement sustainable practices and return energy savings back to educate students.”

A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification.

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