Chilton County public schools are saving money through better energy practices.

Mickey Hardwick with the school system’s maintenance department has overseen energy initiatives since he began in his position in July 2015.

Hardwick said the system saved $86,000 in electricity costs during the last four months of 2015 compared to the year before.

He credits most of the savings to efforts designed to curb unnecessary energy use.

Most of the thermostats at schools across the county are programmed to a Monday through Friday schedule that doesn’t account for holidays.

So, Hardwick has made a point of manually turning off the systems when school is not in session to prevent them from running with no one there.

Hardwick has worked to educate teachers and administrators about the importance of saving power, and then held them accountable by visiting classrooms after hours to make sure employees are complying.

Personal refrigerators and microwaves in classrooms can use much energy, as can commercial appliances in school kitchens, and all have been targeted for reduction.

LED lights were installed in the parking lot at Clanton Middle School within the last 90 days, reducing energy by 60 percent, Hardwick said.

While the LED bulbs are more expensive, the system recouped the money within two months of installation.

Other schools will see similar bulbs installed.

Hardwick said officials estimate $200,000 in savings this fiscal year, but the benefits of more energy efficient schools extend further.

“Green Ribbon School” designation is being sought at Clanton Elementary School and could result if opportunities for grants.

The application for designation asks for information about a school’s facility, health, physical education and safety policies, food service and environmental and sustainability curriculum.

“It opens the door for extra grant money,” Hardwick said about the designation.