In 2007 the Board of Education, in an effort to reduce energy consumption and save money, established the District’s Energy Conservation and Education Program. This program plays a vital role in reducing operating costs and improving classroom environments and productivity. The program was designed to be a comprehensive savings program which promotes conservation of electricity, gas, and water. The program emphasizes reduction of energy use during unoccupied times as well as promoting behavior changes from a mindset of “energy consumer” to “energy saver”. To facilitate these changes the CVUSD has established a number of Energy Management and Conservation Guidelines. These guidelines describe the detailed steps that are being taken to reduce energy consumption at all of our campuses.

The philosophy behind the program is fairly simple: “Use what you need to run your educational program, be reasonably comfortable, but when you’re done, turn it off." Our Energy Program does not compromise or limit the District’s educational mission or disrupt classroom programs or comfort. All students, faculty and staff are asked to do their part to conserve and help create a culture and mindset of conservation in the Conejo Valley.

• Eliminate Energy Waste - Save Money
• Maintain Comfort and Safety in Occupied Areas
• Maintain a Desirable/Optimal Educational Environment

• Adjust existing equipment, mostly HVAC and lighting for optimal performance
• Insure equipment is not running when not needed
• Monitor energy use throughout the District
  • Energy Audits
  • Utility bill analysis
• Educate District Staff to develop and maintain a conservation mindset
• Investigate and implement new equipment and technologies that offer greater energy efficiency
• Shutdowns
  • Nightly and weekends
  • Holiday breaks
  • Summer break
  • Utility bill analysis
• Long Range Planning

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants cost less to operate and help protect the environment. On average, these buildings use 35 percent less energy and cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than comparable buildings across the country.

To earn ENERGY STAR certification, a facility must operate among the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide, with no sacrifices in comfort or quality. Starting with the first ENERGY STAR certified building in 1999, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across America have already earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance.

Before facilities can earn the ENERGY STAR certification, a professional engineer or registered architect must verify that the information contained within the certification application is accurate.