About 80% of the building energy consumed by the City of Manchester is used in our schools, so reducing school energy use is a primary focus of our program.
We have many initiatives in progress to improve the efficiency of our schools and as well as programs to increase energy awareness with student, faculty and staff. To that end we have issued two newsletters to date. The first Energy Newsletter for the schools can be viewed by clicking here. Our most recent newsletter can be viewed by clicking here.
We also have a large number of energy efficiency improvement projects in process for the schools. Each month we are featuring one major project on this website. You can learn more about by clicking here.
Regarding energy awareness, the schools provide a great opportunity to teach our children about energy conservation and how our actions can help save energy, reduce pollution and make our world a better place to live.
We are promoting energy awareness and conservation by providing resources to our teachers as well as through events.
Please click here if you would like to see the School Districts Energy Policy.
This past spring and summer West High School participated in a major energy event the, EPA’s 2011 ENERGYSTAR National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings! West High is one of 245 building nation wide competing to reduce their energy use by the greatest percentage between last year and this year.
West High School was selected for the competition among all Manchester schools, in part because it received new super high efficiency heating boilers last summer. However, effort made by the students, faculty and staff will also greatly influence the amount of savings that are generated.
As of the end of August our unofficial records indicate West High has reduced its energy use by 23% over the past year. The contest results were released in early November and although West did not win, it did show an impressive position in the competition, as detailed below.
- Placed 43 Overall in a field of 245 Buildings
- The only Building entered from the state of New Hampshire
- The Best Entry in the Northeast in regards to performance
- Placed 19 Overall in a field of K-12 School Buildings
If you would like to read the Union Leader article on West High and the Battle of the Buildings Contest click here.