The Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy in the William Penn School District is looking to cut its energy costs by 75 percent.

That effort prompted a school tour Thursday by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

The district received a $7.2 million Renew America’s School Program grant that is going toward energy upgrades at the school.

Joining Granholm in the tour was U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05).

Granholm said many old school buildings are inefficient. Reducing energy costs saves money that can go to education.

“The windows are bad. The lighting is bad. We don’t want the money schools get to be going just for the heating and cooling, we want it for the curriculum, the kids,” she said. “This frees up more money to be able to do that.”

District Chief of Operations Darnell Deans expects a new high ambient heat pump system will save the district $45,000 to $50,000 a year in energy costs.

The upgrades also provide an opportunity to bring energy technology education and skills to the students, who will learn about the heat pumps as they conduct energy assessments.

Read more about the energy secretary’s visit and about the new energy upgrades at Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy and the school district in the Daily Times.