As a component of the School Energy Efficiency Program, the following facility improvement services will be provided free-of-charge to qualifying school districts:

• Benchmarking: All schools within the participating district will be rated against other similar schools in the Central Valley in terms of energy consumption. Each school will be able to learn how it fares in its energy conservation efforts in comparison to other schools in the district, county or Central Valley.
  
• Detailed Energy Audit: Low-cost/no-cost energy efficiency improvement solutions will be recommended to participating schools through a comprehensive on-site energy audit. Energy efficiency improvement measures that require capital investments but with a short payback period will also be identified and proposed. Participating schools will receive assistance in identifying and selecting statewide programs or other financial assistance methods that would require minimal front-end investments.
  
• Training School Maintenance Staff: The maintenance staff of participating schools will receive training in re-commissioning and maintenance of existing energy-using equipment (e.g., how to check the refrigerant of HVAC units for proper charge, how to maintain clean filters and coils, etc.). The goal of this training is to help school maintenance staff be self-sufficient and able to perform the recommended maintenance on their own.
  
• Fostering Collaboration Between Students and Maintenance Staff: Participating schools will receive assistance in fostering collaboration between students and maintenance staff on the operation of energy-using equipment such as lighting, temperature setting, etc. Assistance in planning and coordination of programs such as ’Energy Patrol’ that would increase student participation will be provided.
  
• Development of Technology Demonstration Classroom: With the help of manufacturers of energy efficient products, trade associations and U.S. Department of Energy, some schools will be provided with a demonstration classroom that would showcase the installation, operation and maintenance of energy efficient technologies.