According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficient renovations—replacement of inefficient boilers, lighting, and other systems—could reduce school energy costs by 30 percent. This is money that could be spent on hiring new teachers and purchasing textbooks, computers, and other instructional materials.

Additionally,  colleges’ and universities’ energy consumption has a large impact on both financial and environmental interests. New construction, aging infrastructure, financial constraints, increasing energy costs, and environmental responsibility are motivating institutions to re-evaluate their energy demand and related conservation programs. The Department of Energy estimates that 25 percent of the $6 billion colleges and universities spend annually on energy could be saved through better energy management.