Inter-Lakes School District

Inter-Lakes School District (ILSD) is a cooperative school district serving approximately 1,060 students, from pre-school through 12th grade, from the New Hampshire towns of Meredith, Center Harbor, and Sandwich. The district's facilities include three schools (Inter-Lakes Elementary School, Sandwich Central School and Inter-Lakes Junior-Senior High School), and an administrative building.

When ILSD completes Phase II of its ambitious 10-year effort to remake its energy infrastructure, it will, according to Honeywell consultants, be the "greenest" school district in New Hampshire.

Most of Phase I focused on upgrading or replacing very old heating and ventilation equipment, as well as building envelope improvements. In a precursor to Phase II improvements, Phase I also included ILSD's first venture into renewable energy - a 16 MMBTU/Yr solar thermal hot water system that supplemented the existing oil-fired domestic system. ILSD also performed lighting efficiency upgrades on more than 1,000 lights and installed occupancy sensors in key areas. All told, Phase I projects reduced oil consumption by 50 percent, and electric consumption by 38 percent.

These efforts set the stage for Phase II improvements that will reduce oil consumption to near zero by 2017. Phase II involves comprehensive efficiency projects at each of ILSD’s schools, including replacing less efficient lighting with LEDs, as well as installation of heat pumps, hot water systems, boiler systems, solar panels, ECM coolers, and door heaters. When Phase II improvements are completed, ILSD will save an estimated $170,000 per year in energy costs.

ILSD knew from the beginning that a project of this magnitude must involve cooperation by efficiency specialists and the school district, as well as residents of Meredith, Center Harbor, and Sandwich. By leveraging the expertise of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Honeywell, and the local energy services industry, the school district successfully enlisted the support of its taxpayers through clear, frequent communications.

Speaking of education, ILSD has also enlisted the support of its most important constituents – its students – by taking energy efficiency and sustainability out of the classroom and into a variety of real-world applications.

Children at Inter-Lakes Elementary School now have "The Living Classroom," a greenhouse that utilizes a solar subterranean heating design for year-round use. Meanwhile, ILSD middle school students participate in the district’s Sustainability Club, which teaches them about socially responsible energy use and the importance of local resources. Part of the program includes participation in the Farm-to-School Program, which invites local farmers to visit schools for hands-on lessons in growing crops.

 

ILSD’s creative outreach efforts cater to diverse student interests. High school science students learn about renewable energy technology by touring their school’s solar hot water system. The wood pellet silos will soon become the blank canvas for art students, who will paint murals and colorful designs.

Next year, the district will create composting centers at each school. Other future plans include plants that will be used to supplement the high school’s food service program, installation of waterless urinals, and new high-efficiency motors for water pumps.

As it has in the past, the ILSD will continue partnering with NEHC. Over the years, NHEC staff have been involved in various energy-related projects, providing incentives, as well as project financing and expertise to assist the district identifying energy savings opportunities and making informed decisions about comprehensive energy investments.

ILSD deserves an A+ for energy efficiency commitment. The district is making smart financial decisions—while also inspiring the next generation to think globally, act locally, and make sustainability part of their everyday lives.