Energy Efficiency
Overview
Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result. This can be accomplished by procuring clean energy sources, upgrading outdated systems to newer ones, and replacing gas facilities with electric ones.
OUSD has been actively implementing solar energy solutions and upgrading light fixtures across various school sites to support our energy efficiency efforts. Energy efficiency projects will be further supported through the development of the Sustainability Policy and Plan. In the meantime, OUSD is prioritizing, developing, and implementing energy-efficient strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and significantly reduce the District’s energy costs.
Districtwide Energy Efficiency Audit
The district is currently undergoing an Energy Efficiency audit in order to better understand the condition and efficiency of our systems and facilities.
The District is currently partnering with a local consulting company, Willdan Energy Solutions, to conduct a district-wide energy efficiency audit. This audit aims to identify energy and operational savings measures across all school facilities, determine the associated costs and savings for each measure, and present a measurement and verification plan and a commissioning plan to verify the project's savings.
Some examples of energy conservation measures being assessed include:
- Upgrading aging HVAC equipment to high-efficiency or electric heat pump systems
- Converting interior and exterior lighting to LEDs with occupancy and daylight controls
- Optimizing building automation systems to improve schedules and temperature setpoints
- Replacing inefficient water heaters with high-efficiency or heat pump water heaters
- Improving insulation and sealing air leaks to reduce heating and cooling losses
Site visits concluded in September 2025. Since then, the team has analyzed building, equipment, and utility data to identify cost-effective energy efficiency measures, operational improvements, and priority facility upgrades. This analysis focuses on reducing energy use and costs while improving building performance, occupant health and safety, and the long-term reliability of the District’s energy systems.
See below for a list of the identified projects :
Current Energy Efficiency Projects:
In addition to the Energy Efficiency Audit, the District has been pursuing other energy conservation measures for our schools. For more information on specific projects, please see the list below:
Last Updated September 18th, 2026