Xcel Energy has given Amarillo ISD a check for $181,000 as an incentive to find ways to use less energy.

The two are working together to find ways AISD can spend less on energy cost district wide.

Over the summer the district spent almost $4 million on replacing more than 500 heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.  They've also replaced lighting units in some schools.

AISD has made upgrades to 18 different campuses.  In May 2013 voters passed a bond issue to replace the HVAC systems.  The lighting expenses were handled through the budget.

Eventually the district will spent a total of $17 million in HVAC replacements which will represent at savings of around $10,000 per month to the districts energy costs.

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