America’s schools spend more than US$7.5 billion annually on energy, according to a July 2013 report based on a study by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. That’s more than schools spend on textbooks and computers combined. In fact, energy costs are the largest operating expense for school districts behind salaries and benefits. In recent years, these costs have increasingly strained school budgets. IT plug loads, from computers, copiers, printers and other devices plugged into outlets, constitute one of the top three electricity end uses after lighting and cooling. As much as 30 percent of a school district’s total energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily.