By JENNIFER LIN, ALICE CHEN, JOANNE LI and RICHARD REN
Smart Boards, air conditioners, Chromebooks, and iPads are vital parts of our modern educational experience. However, the energy required to power this technology doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Our school district does not generate its own power. Instead, it receives electricity from PSEG LI, a power company that provides electricity for the rest of Long Island and a part of New York City.
Gas is supplied through energy provider National Grid, and is then used in boiler rooms to provide heat and hot water to buildings. This could lead to two possible environmental impacts. As Director of Buildings and Grounds Mr. Michael Hahn said, “All fuel burning equipment exhausts carbon, which in itself is a form of pollution.” Carbon pollution contributes to global warming and climate change. In addition, there are often many moving parts in these rooms, leading to potential safety hazards for workers if proper safety practices are not followed.
According to Mr. Hahn, one way to reduce energy usage is to install building management systems. These computer-based control systems monitor electrical and mechanical equipment such as ventilation, fire, and power systems. They automatically adjust power usage enabling equipment to be shut off during evenings, weekends, holidays, and other times spaces are not in use. The District is currently in the process of installing such systems as part of their initiative to reduce power consumption.
Mr. Hahn estimates that the district uses approximately 2,000 kilowatts of electrical power a month, although that usage can vary greatly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED lights use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting, while lasting 25 times longer. They are one of the most energy-efficient technologies on the market today. Jericho High School is planning to invest in more energy-efficient equipment such as LED lights and monitoring systems that automatically turn lights off when people are not present.
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