Energy Savings Performance Contracting: A Primer for K-12 Schools

This document is a primer covering the basics and best practices for establishing Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) in K-12 school districts. It explains how schools can use ESPC to save money by improving building energy efficiency and reducing operating costs while increasing occupant comfort and productivity. It is organized into 4 main chapters:

• Chapter 1: Challenges Facing Schools and the Benefits of Energy Efficiency, describes what is achievable through performance contracting, including not only the financial and environmental benefits, but also the advantages for student health and performance.
• Chapter 2: What is Energy Savings Performance Contracting, provides an overview of ESPC, a brief history of how ESPC emerged as a mechanism for financing energy efficiency upgrades, and a look at the 59.3 trillion kBtu opportunity for potential energy savings in US schools. 
• Chapter 3: Getting Started with ESPC, provides directions on how schools can get started with ESPC and outlines steps to follow from the evaluation phase through post-construction operations.  
• Chapter 4: Technical Assistance, covers how and when a school should secure support from a knowledgeable third party to help navigate the process of energy savings performance contracting. 

This document provides numerous specific examples of K-12 schools that have successfully improved their buildings using an energy savings performance contract. It also includes tips and advice on performance contracting from school staff and energy industry professionals.