Gary Soggs wasn’t particularly popular at Clarkston Community Schools when he was hired in 2005.
He made teachers and staff give up portable heaters and refrigerators, turn off lights, and comply with tight scheduling of after-school activities.
But with energy savings of $674,991 over the past two years, people have come around.
‘At first, there were some rough waters,? said Soggs, energy savings manager with Clarkston’s Facilities Department. ‘It was hard for people to make some of these changes. But when they started seeing the savings in utility bills, that turned the tide.?
‘The program has been pretty successful,? said Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts. ‘Gary is an enthusiastic energy saver.?
Soggs, 33, has been a licensed electrician since 1996, working in the automotive industry in Detroit and school facilities in Bloomfield. He is earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology at Baker College.
When he interviewed for the Clarkston position at a local job fair, he was already familiar with the area.
‘I was impressed with the new buildings and the look of Clarkston’s schools,? said Soggs, who lives in Brandon Township with his wife, Beth Soggs.
‘I was overwhelmed at first. I knew the possibilities were there, but I didn’t know we’d make the savings we did. It’s impressive.?
Gary Soggs and the rest of facilities, led by Wes Goodman, also upgraded parking lot lights and programming, and installing automatic controls for interior lights, heat, air conditioning, and other machines, most funded by a $78-million capital-improvement millage in 2003.
‘The ultimate goal is saving jobs,? he said.
‘We’re constantly working to update equipment and educate ourselves,? he said. ‘I go to classes, background research, seminars, lots of networking with other districts.?
Software has been installed to keep track of school facilities using his laptop computer, but he still comes in on weekends and holidays for personal inspections.
‘That’s when you can really see what’s going on in a building,? Soggs said.
He looks for air circulation fans running off schedule, leaky drinking fountains, clogged water filters, and other issues before they break down and cause problems for teachers and students.
‘We put in some preventive maintenance,? he said.
He also looks for energy wasters.
‘I found some copiers that had disabled sleep modes,? he said.
He continues to meet with teachers and staff to discuss ideas from his research. One resource is the federal government’s Energy Star program, which offers energy-saving tips for businesses and homes.
‘I’m hoping we can implement some of them in the district,? he said.
He is also working with elementary school teachers and administrators on incorporating energy conservation into curriculum.
According to Gary Soggs’ report to Clarkston’s Board of Education, equipment upgrades and energy-saving behavior by staff have reduced electrical use by about 3.6 million kilowatts per hour last school year, saving about $152,000, and 1.6 million KPH so far this year, saving about $58,000.
Natural gas, measured in meter cubic feet, fell from 96,545 MCF in 2006 to 85,527 last year, saving about $212,000. Usage so far this year is down 12,972 MCF compared to this time in 2007, saving about $146,000.
Energy Savings Projects include: Parking lot lights; Building automation controls; Variable frequency drives for more efficient air circulation;Motion sensors; Lighting upgrades;CO2 sensors for fresh-air intake systems; Glycol-cooled airconditioning and heating; Regular audits and building checks; Communication with staff; Constant updates to building automation controls; Research; Secure bids from multiple contractors for all work done, and follow through to make sure work is done properly; and Meet with staff to discuss energy plan and encourage them to save at home.
For more information, call Clarkston’s Facilities at 248.623.8020, or check www.EnergyStar.gov.