School districts across the country are saving millions each year in utility costs by simply turning off the lights and computers at the end of the day.

According to the Arkansas Democrat and Gazette, the Bentonville, Arkansas district was guaranteed $100,000 in energy savings per more by consultants Energy Education, which finds energy conservation opportunities that do not require capital expenditures.

Schools are always under financial pressure, and increases in energy prices often require cuts in other parts of their budgets. But districts that hire energy efficiency managers can be paid back in savings several times over each year.

Since these changes pay for themselves immediately, the savings could be used to pay for other things, like books or teachers, or to reduce deficits. Talk about a win-win situation.

Implementing energy efficient practices is an important first step, but the long term goal is to design and retrofit schools to be more energy efficient. The U.S. Green Building Association is currently developing a guide for schools to implement energy and environmental designs, and recently gave its highest award to the Bethel Middle School.