Remember that old college classroom with the drafty windows, the loud air vents and the freezing temps? Well the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) are partnering to change the old-school, energy wasting buildings.

By combining knowledge, experience, price discounts, special financing and some willing schools, the program has already brought 10 pilot schools on board, including Lee College, Bard College, Los Angeles Community College District, New York University and Syracuse University.

Lee College plans to retrofit all 35 of its buildings, including adding a building management system and installing energy efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting products. It expects the college’s total electric consumption to decrease by 35 percent and its energy and water costs to drop by 32 percent.

Buildings account for up to 40 percent of global energy use, according to the Department of Energy. That means energy-efficiency solutions for both new and retrofitted buildings could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and drastically cut utility costs.

Plus, the schools can start the retrofits without dipping into their capital budgets. By following an energy savings performance contracting model that has been used by many sectors for decades, the building owner can pay for the installation of energy efficient technology through the savings in utility bills generated by the retrofits, rather than through upfront payments from capital budgets or increases in operating budgets. Additionally, many of the energy services companies that have signed on with the initiative offer financing for the schools’ projects. CCI has also formed a purchasing alliance by negotiating discounts on energy efficient products with the manufacturers that range anywhere from 10 to 50 percent off market prices.

Schools all over the country, such as Saint Xavier University are putting the lessons of energy efficiency to use. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) does a great job of tracking such initiatives.

Maybe schools might be able to slowdown the increases in tuition by saving money on their utility costs with this A+ program.

If your school is interested in going green, check out the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program Description and FAQs.