Electrification and Energy Efficiency

School districts play a key role in building a more sustainable future for students and the broader community. The San Mateo County Energy Watch program and its partner organizations offer a variety of services to help schools improve campus facilities through technical assistance staff training, equipment incentives, stakeholder networking, and access to grants and 0% interest financing. Whether you’re looking to increase energy efficiency, electrify buildings, secure funding, or train staff on sustainability best practices, these resources make it easier and more affordable to implement lasting solutions. Explore the options below to find the right support for your school or district.

To connect with these programs, reach out to energy@smcgov.org.

Featured Programs

Woodside High School view from library deck looking toward main quad

K-12 Schools Program

Reducing the use of energy in school facilities can lower your operating costs and create more comfortable spaces for students. Receive help identifying opportunities to save energy and scoping energy efficiency and energy management projects. The energy efficiency program offers incentives, financing, and technical services to help public schools improve their facilities at low or no cost.

To connect with this program, reach out to energy@smcgov.org.

two elementary students washing hands at school

California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) Program

The California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) program promotes the electrification and decarbonization of new buildings or major renovations. CEDA works in collaboration with project teams to reduce energy demand, consumption, and carbon emissions.

To maximize the opportunity for incentives, please contact energy@smcgov.org as early as possible in the project planning process.

Sustainable Pathways in Energy

We help schools reach their sustainability and climate readiness goals.

lightbulb and calculator on chart representing energy savings

Energy Conservation & Efficiency

Reducing the use of energy in your facilities can lower your operating costs and create more comfortable spaces for students. Receive help identifying opportunities to save energy, including benchmarking energy use and scoping energy efficiency and energy management projects.

To connect with this program, reach out to energy@smcgov.org.

Water Heater and HVAC Electrification

One of the best ways to reduce the carbon footprint of a building is to switch from methane gas powered water and air heating to electric heat pumps. Program staff will visit your school sites to develop an inventory of methane gas-powered equipment in your facilities and recommend all-electric alternatives. This methane gas inventory process allows you to better understand how to begin planning for electrification projects.

The K-12 Schools program can provide project management of water heater electrification projects, for little to no-cost at eligible facilities. To connect with this program, reach out to energy@smcgov.org.

calculator and pen on spreadsheet calculating energy costs

Energy Financing for Facilities

Receive help applying for 0% interest financing for energy efficiency projects, up to $4 million per school.

This interest-free financing is available for many types of projects, including LED lighting, heating, battery storage, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electric motors, refrigeration, food service equipment and water pumps. The minimum project loan amount is $5,000. Loan terms and monthly payment amounts are based on the estimated monthly energy savings from the retrofit project. To connect with this program, reach out to energy@smcgov.org.

Energy Education for Facilities Staff

The San Mateo County RICAPS Climate Collaborative can help school districts learn how to develop a climate action plan and/or implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sustainability Department also hosts a Facilities Working Group to help public agency facilities staff learn about strategies for electrifying their buildings and fleet vehicles as well as upcoming regulations related to sustainability that will affect their operations. This working group keeps staff up to date on new technologies and resources learn from their peers about how to implement sustainability strategies in their agency’s facilities.

Please email energy@smcgov.org to learn more and participate.