As the school year begins, students and educators are finding superior lighting and more comfortable temperatures on campus, courtesy of TEP.
Twelve public schools qualified for upgrades at no cost through the TEP Schools Energy Efficiency Program, designed to help schools save on costs while also reducing the overall community’s energy reliance.
Starting in 2016, TEP began providing energy-efficient lighting to select, qualified schools through the program. Last year, TEP added heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and advanced rooftop controls (ARC) as offerings.
“We know that’s a big need for our schools,” said Edith Garcia, Senior Program Manager of Energy Programs.
Over the summer, TEP-approved contractors began installing energy-efficient lighting at five Rose Academies campuses and Mexicayotl Academy. In addition, Mexicayotl previously received a new HVAC unit in 2023 through the program.
Cathy Ramirez, Mexicayotl’s Office Manager, said the school was unable to afford a new HVAC and lighting with its small budget. The school inherited an older HVAC unit when it opened in 2013 in a small downtown building, where students attend classes in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.
The lower energy costs that result from the upgrade will free up money for dual-language lessons and classroom costs, Ramirez said.
“It’s been really amazing,” Ramirez said. “We are beyond grateful and appreciate the HVAC and lighting upgrades TEP has provided, as well as all the help along the way. Our scholars and staff have better quality, brighter lighting and classrooms that are nice and cool. Importantly, there will be a tremendous reduction in energy costs at the same time.”
Geovanna Moreno, a TEP Commercial Account Manager who serves charter schools, visited Mexicayotl to see the results over the summer.
“It was great to see the school staff is enjoying the many benefits of the lighting upgrades and new HVAC unit made possible through the TEP Schools Energy Efficiency Program. It will be an exciting school year for the students as they will have an improved school environment,” Moreno said.
This fall, six additional schools will receive ARC upgrades to help manage heating and cooling systems. HVACs also will be replaced at five of the six schools.
The new controls help HVAC systems operate more efficiently and improve air quality while providing maintenance alerts for school employees through compatible software systems.
Garcia said many schools have older units, often more than 20 years old, and they don’t have the capital to replace them.
“We’ve had very positive feedback,” Garcia said. “The upgrade is a huge benefit for them.”
TEP selects schools for the no-cost upgrades by soliciting applications and ranking buildings by set criteria established each year.
Schools receiving climate-control systems at no cost are:
- Tucson Unified School District: Borton Magnet Elementary and Rincon High Schools
- Amphitheater Unified School District: Holoway Elementary School
- Flowing Wells Unified School District: Laguna Elementary School
- Edge High School
- Griffin Foundation
Other schools can apply for rebates through TEP’s K-12 Schools Program, which allows schools to make energy-efficient upgrades at a discounted cost.
After paying for upgrades up front, participating schools receive rebates upon project completion. Those facilities are in Marana, Tucson and Catalina Foothills Unified School Districts, along with St. Michael’s School.
TEP’s energy-efficiency programs are funded by customers through a surcharge approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. All approved programs have been proven cost-effective for participants as well as customers at large, as the energy savings reduce TEP’s long-term need for new energy resources that contribute to higher rates.
Learn more about rebates for your home and your workplace.
