Jacksonville Elementary School, Medford, Oregon
Jacksonville Elementary School has been a familiar fixture in the Medford School District since 1954, a steady presence in Southern Oregon for generations of students. To ensure it continues to stand strong for generations to come, the school district is making seismic building upgrades to meet state-mandated earthquake safety standards.
With support from state and federal funding, including Business Oregon grants and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSR) funds, Medford School District has been retrofitting schools one at a time. Jacksonville Elementary is now one of the latest to meet Oregon’s earthquake safety requirements.
While the district was reinforcing what’s under the roof, they realized it was the perfect moment to improve what was above it. With the old roof coming off during structural upgrades, the school district partnered with Energy Trust of Oregon to boost the school’s energy efficiency with high-performance insulation – a win for safety, comfort and cost savings.
“It was the perfect time to improve insulation,” said Seth Barry, resource conservation/project specialist for Medford School District. “You’re already doing the work, why not make it better and get money back?”
Barry is no stranger to energy efficiency or to Energy Trust. As a longtime participant in Strategic Energy Management (SEM), he refers to the offering as his “guiding light.” Through monthly check-ins with his SEM coach, regular training and webinars throughout the year, Barry is constantly looking for ways to reduce energy use and improve building performance.
That ongoing involvement paid off. When seismic safety upgrades required removing and replacing the school’s roof, Barry recognized a prime opportunity.
Working with Energy Trust, he identified cash incentives to offset the cost of upgrading insulation in high-use areas like the gym and cafeteria.
The district received $26,900 for new, high-performance roof insulation – fully covering the project’s cost. On top of that, the upgrade is expected to save the district an estimated $22,400 in utility costs each year through reduced energy use.
“Energy Trust made it easy,” said Barry. “I just say, ‘Here’s the project,’ and they help me figure out what’s eligible. They’re eager to help find savings, and it helps me look good in my position when savings are found.”
Energy Trust helped the district navigate the process from start to finish. After the work was complete, Barry submitted invoices, square footage, and product specs, and Energy Trust calculated the incentive amount and issued the check.
The improved insulation also means more consistent indoor temperatures year-round, especially in the gym and cafeteria, which are used heavily throughout the school day. Students and teachers benefit from more comfort, no matter the season.
“Heating a room with no insulation is wasteful of money, of time, of effort,” said Barry. “These projects respect the energy we use. If there are long-term savings over the years on utility bills, it’s less of a burden on the district, too,” Barry adds.
Energy Trust can help you turn required maintenance into lasting savings. Learn more about cash incentives, technical support and how to get started at www.energytrust.org/existingbuildings. For specific questions, email us at existingbuildings@energytrust.org.