The economies of scale work both ways, and when your consumption is big enough, a incremental reduction can be real money. A great example comes from Guilford County, home of the third largest school system in the state. In the 2003-2004 school year, concerted efforts to turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms in just ten schools saved over $94,000 in energy costs, reports the Greensboro News-Record.
“When it’s not coming out of your pocket, I think you have to be reminded,” [Southeast High principal Keith] Kremer said. “That’s part of the education, the constant reminder.”