This is the second year of the Shared Savings Program!
Starting in September 2006, the Seattle School District has been compiling and analyzing detailed utility data for each facility. We felt it was important to reward the schools for all of their hard work in helping us reach our goal and developed the Shared Savings Program in order to give a proportion of the savings directly to the school. In addition to fostering environmental stewardship, resource conservation is an important part of being fiscally responsible.

UTILITY USE GRAPHS, click here

Example of Monthly Update Letter

2006/07 Award Winners
2006/07 Utility Usage Graphs

Shared Savings Awards are based on a reduction of utility use in 2007/08 compared to utility use in 2005/06. Money will be awarded after all utility invoices have been processed and is based on the following table:

The Details:

A Resource Conservation Specialist analyzes utility data for each facility. Utilities included in the Shared Savings Program are electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, and demand. Percent change in use is calculated using the use and proportion of the total utility bill.
Each eligible facility is sent a monthly update with details of their percent change in natural resource use. Updates are mailed to the Principal and Custodial Engineer of the facility.
Through a variety of conservation techniques, building occupants work to reduce their natural resource consumption.
After all utility data has been received for September 2007 through August 2008, earned Shared Savings Money will be distributed. Money will be transferred to the facilities' budget for use on future conservation efforts.
This program is designed to be sustainable and continue on through future years. Utility data analysis for 2008/09 will begin as information from the utility company is available.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shared Savings

Who is eligible to participate in the Shared Savings Program?
I did not receive a monthly update letter. How do I get one?
How is the money distributed?
Why is my percent change in use higher/lower than last month?
Why are more recent months on the usage graphs very low or nonexistent?
Why is there a large spike in my usage graph during 1 or 2 months?
How is the "Estimated Change in Cost" on the monthly update letter calculated?
How come I don't have a Natural Gas or Demand usage graph?
My school has more students this year. How does the Shared Savings Program account for that?
My school is moving next year. What happens to my Shared Savings money?

Who is eligible to participate in the Shared Savings Program?
Schools that have been in the same building for at least 2 years and with valid 2005/2006 utility data are eligible for the program. Facilities that are not eligible include closed buildings, schools and programs that have been in their building for one year or less, buildings that do not contain SPS students, and administration buildings. No enrollment is necessary.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

I did not receive a monthly monthly update letter. How do I get one?
One copy of the "Percent Change in Natural Resource Use" letter is mailed to the Principal and Custodial Engineer of the building. Utility Usage Graphs are available online (see above). Due to software constraints, we are currently unable to post electronic copies of the Percent Change letter. If you would like an electronic copy emailed to you, please contact Nicole Riss. (Note: not all facilities are eligible to participate in the Shared Savings Program..)
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

How is the money distributed?
Money earned through the Shared Savings Program will be transferred directly to the school's budget after all utility usage data for 2007/08 has been received and analyzed. Earned money is intended for use on further conservation efforts. Projects and programs that support resource conservation are strongly encouraged.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

Why is my percent change in use higher/lower than last month?
Percent change in use can vary significantly from month to month, particularly when the data range spans only a few months. There are a wide variety of reasons for this. Some possibilities include an estimated usage, a typo on the utility bill, or unusually high/low use for a period of time. Final calculations will not be made until after all utility data for the 2007/08 fiscal year has been entered and analyzed. Many jumps and dips will average out over the entire year. You can be sure data is complete through the month indicated on the "Percent Change in Natural Resource Use" letter.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

Why are more recent months on the usage graphs very low or nonexistent?
Usage data on graphs represents utility invoices that have been processed. Similar to your home utility bills, there may be a delay in usage information while the utility company reads the meter and prepares the invoice. After the invoice has been received by SPS, it is entered into our database and processed for payment. If the most recent month on the graph has drastically lower usage than the previous year, it may be because not all invoices for usage during that month have been processed.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

Why is there a large spike in my usage graph during 1 or 2 months?
High usage during a short period of time could be due to a variety of factors. There may have been a mechanical malfunction, something could have been left on/not functioning for a long period of time before it was noticed, usage may be estimated, previous months may have been estimated, or it may even be a typo in the data. Talk with staff and colleagues to see if they are aware of any unusual utility usage or contact us if you have any questions.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

How is the "Estimated Change in Cost" on the monthly update letter calculated?
Rates vary throughout the year for each utility and facility. For the sake of simplicity, change in utility use is multiplied by an averaged rate per unit as follows. Electricity = $0.0467 per kWh. Natural Gas = $1.168 per Therm. Water = $2.82 per CCF. Sewer = $7.45 per CCF. Demand = $1.03 per kW. (one CCF = 748 gallons). Estimated change in cost is not the actual cost and does not include taxes or fees.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

How come I don't have a Natural Gas or Demand usage graph?
There are some facilities that do not use any natural gas. These facilities will have 0% or "n/a" change in natural gas use and $0 or n/a change in natural gas cost. Demand is a part of electricity and is not graphed separately. No facility will have a demand graph.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

My school has more students this year than last year. How does the Shared Savings Program account for that?
Contrary to popular belief, an increase in students will probably not have a big effect on the amount of electricity, natural gas, or demand your school uses. For example, a room with 15 students will have lights on, projectors running, and clocks on. With the addition of, say, 10 students, the lights will still be on, the projector will still be running, etc. However, your water and sewer use may increase slightly due to more people using things like drinking fountains and toilets. If you believe your resource consumption is greatly effected by an increased number of students, please contact Nicole Riss.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

My school is moving next year. What happens to my Shared Savings money?
Shared Savings money is transferred to the school's budget. Any money earned by the school will go with the school to the new location.
(back to Shared Savings FAQ)

(back to top)
Updated 2/7/08