Savings By Design promotes energy-efficient design in new construction and renovation projects with financial incentives and technical resources for designers, contractors, and building owners. The program is funded by California utility ratepayers and is administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, and is available for any school district within their territories. The financial performance-based incentives increase with the energy efficiency of the design and can be a significant source of additional funds.

In addition, Savings By Design offers technical assistance and project-specific design assistance to the school design community. Savings By Design sponsors training and continuing education in integrated school design practice (e.g., daylighting systems, proper HVAC sizing integrating internal loads from other end uses, proper HVAC installation, and building system modeling).

For more information:
www.savingsbydesign.com

Pacific Gas and Electric
Contact Local Representative or call:
(800) 468-4743

San Diego Gas and Electric
(800) 411-4743

Southern California Edison
(800) 338-8502

Southern California Gas Company
(800) GAS-2000

Bright Schools Program

The California Energy Commission's Bright Schools Program offers a full suite of programs to schools considering high performance design strategies in new and existing buildings. School districts can use the program to evaluate potential areas for energy and resource savings and prioritize their needs. The services are typically provided at little or no cost to the district.

On new construction projects, Bright Schools Program provides a variety of services, including design consultation, cost-effectiveness calculations, development of specifications, help in selection of the design team, review of construction plans, and complete value engineering of specific efficiency measures.
Bright Schools also includes comprehensive services for energy renovations. The particular services are determined by the program and the district and may include energy audits, feasibility studies, design review, equipment specifications, and contractor selection and installation assistance. In addition, schools can take advantage of a loan program (at 3% interest rates) to help finance the required district match of renovation projects.

For more information:

California Energy Commission
Elizabeth Shirakh
(916) 654-4053
eshirakh@energy.state.ca.us

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have specific incentive programs for efficient air conditioning and lighting systems.

Contact them directly for more information:

Sacramento Municipal Utility District:
Glenn Watanabe,
(916) 732-5413