Matt Lichtenfels’ work for Beaverton School District is a bit like detective work. As the district’s Energy & Resource Conservation Program Manager, Lichtenfels identifies aging systems across school properties and looks for smart, cost-effective ways to replace them.
Because facilities maintenance and system development projects are funded by public bonds, Lichtenfels takes his role seriously in helping the district make responsible, long-term investments. “What I’m focused on is optimization, not just simply operating buildings, but optimizing them for energy efficiency,” he said.
Whenever possible, Lichtenfels looks for incentives to help make bond and maintenance dollars go further. That’s how the district got involved in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering.
Improving school operations with Strategic Energy Management
Through SEM, Lichtenfels has worked with an energy coach to improve energy efficiency across Beaverton School District’s properties. Together, they have implemented several operations and maintenance (O&M) projects that establish new energy-saving practices and routines. “The guidance I’ve received through SEM has been instrumental in finding ways to improve building operations,” Lichtenfels said.
Starting in 2023, Aloha High School, a Portland General Electric and NW Natural customer, began benefiting from SEM. The offering has helped Lichtenfels identify both larger opportunities and small, repeatable actions that save energy over time. “Our energy coach helped us come up with O&M strategies that support efficient operations, like keeping a close eye on HVAC controls and settings,” he said.
SEM efforts at Aloha High School have qualified for $3,000 in cash incentives. These strategies have also made a meaningful impact on operations, helping the school save up to $20,900 on annual energy costs.
Because of his positive experience with SEM, Lichtenfels sees Energy Trust as an extension of his team. “The first thing I do when I start planning any project that impacts energy use is reach out to Energy Trust,” he said. “It’s an absolutely invaluable resource.”
That approach helped Aloha High School complete two major projects: energy-efficient lighting and condensing boiler upgrades.
Lighting upgrades brighten Aloha High School while lowering costs
For Lichtenfels, lighting upgrades are often a matter of timing. Transitioning the district’s schools to LED lighting has been a long but necessary process to cut energy use. To minimize disruption, Lichtenfels looks for opportunities to coordinate lighting upgrades with other construction or development projects whenever possible.
At Aloha High School, exterior lighting upgrades included the courtyard, stadium and parking lot, along with custom lighting controls. Those improvements qualified for more than $31,000 in Energy Trust cash incentives. The district also upgraded interior lighting and installed lighting controls at Aloha High School, qualifying for an additional $34,000 in cash incentives.
Together, the school’s interior and exterior lighting upgrades are expected to save the district $27,000 in annual energy costs. For Lichtenfels, the savings demonstrate why lighting continues to be a worthwhile investment across district properties.
“It’s a lot of work to design and replace lighting in schools, but the savings can be considerable,” he said.
Boiler upgrades help keep classrooms comfortable
At a school built in the 1960s, reliable heat is more than a maintenance priority. It plays an important role in creating a comfortable environment where students can focus and learn.
Aloha High School’s aging boiler system was still operational, but it required significant upkeep to keep pace with the heating needs of the school’s large campus during colder months. “We want to make sure that when students are in their classrooms or any space in the school, that they’re comfortable,” Lichtenfels said.
To improve performance and reduce energy use, the district installed four new, high-efficiency condensing boilers at Aloha High School. The upgrades qualified for $78,000 in Energy Trust cash incentives.
Aloha High School’s four new, high-efficiency condensing boilers.
The new boilers are expected to save the district an estimated $15,100 in annual energy costs, while also supporting more reliable HVAC performance across the facility and reduced wear and tear on equipment. For Lichtenfels, the project represents exactly what energy efficiency upgrades should deliver: lower operating costs, better system performance and fewer maintenance demands.
Energy Trust helps schools invest in their learning environment
The upgrades at Aloha High School show how energy efficiency improvements can deliver benefits beyond energy savings. With support from Energy Trust cash incentives, schools can reduce operating costs while investing in comfortable, efficient learning environments. “The best kind of building is the one where it’s enhancing the educational experience,” Lichtenfels said.
In total, the lighting, boiler and SEM efficiency efforts at Aloha High School qualified for nearly $146,000 in cash incentives and will result in up to $63,300 in annual utility bill savings.
Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting upgrades can help reduce operating costs while supporting comfort and performance across your facility. Learn more about Energy Trust cash incentives or connect with our team of energy advisors at existingbuildings@energytrust.org.
Photos courtesy of the Beaverton School District
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