ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, IN ILLINOIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1977-1983 (OPERATION, EDUCATIONAL, FACILITIES

The purpose of this study was to provide a basic historical/descriptive review of the impact of Title III of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), Public Law 95-619.92. Statute 3206, The Institutional Conservation Program on Selected Public Elementary and Secondary School Facilities in Illinois.;The descriptive method was chosen for this study. The sources of data for this investigation were the file records of the Illinois Department of Energy and National Resources-Institutional Conservation Program Section, the Illinois State Board of Education Data Systems, Research and Statistics, and School District Organization and Facilities Section files.;The sample included 625 public elementary and secondary facilities of the 4,248 total facilities as determined by the Research and Statistics Section, Illinois State Board of Education. Using the base year of 1977-78, the researcher identified and analyzed each facility according to the geographic region, date of construction, square footage, usage by grade, total units of energy consumed (converted to METU's) and fuel type.;The researcher recommended that school districts have a formal policy for energy management and conservation. School districts should conduct energy audits of all of their facilities. Professional architects/engineers should be consulted to assist the school district in developing a plan for energy management and conservation in each facility. School district personnel should receive in-service training on how to effectively implement conservation measures and how to keep records.;The researcher concluded that public elementary and secondary facilities had reduced their total energy consumption. However, they had concentrated their efforts on reducing heat energy consumption and electrical energy consumption increased. The facilities that participated in a formal program for energy management and conservation reduced their total energy consumption notably more than those who had no formal program.