Head of Facilities Mike Gorman is researching greener ways to keep the building running as efficiently as possible with new LED lights, which could also benefit the budget.

Gorman has been doing his best to keep the building as efficient as possible since the 2008 renovation and addition to the building. In 2012, the school earned an Energy Star Rating, meaning the building runs at 94 percent efficiency.

Though not approved yet, new interior LED lights are in the research process and set to possibly be installed over the summer of 2017, depending on the new guidelines set by National Grid in January.

“The technology now is called LED, light-emitting diodes, and we’ve already changed out our parking lot [lights],” Principal Tom Mead said. “They look different, but they also act differently. They’re brighter and much more long-lasting, so that’s been a very good experience.”

Even though the school’s population has grown, along with the hours it is used after the school day, Gorman has kept the energy consumption and budget down.

According to Gorman, starting as early as 2008, he created a stricter maintenance program that ensures that lights, electronics, and equipment are all properly maintained and shut off at the end of the day.

“We went in first and looked at lighting and mechanical, and we basically got a handle on our energy,” Gorman said. “We repaired the things that needed to be repaired, we got things working in proper order… And once mechanically you’ve got your equipment in working order, then it starts running more efficiently.”

Not only will this have a fiscal benefit, but an environmental one as well.

“[The new LEDs are] going to decrease our energy usage, which would save us money, which is great financially,” AP environmental teacher Christina Connolly said, “But also, if we’ll be using less energy, then less electricity needs to be produced, so then we aren’t burning as many fossil fuels.”

With the new lights, students can expect some changes in the classroom.

“The lights will be brighter. The LEDs produce more bright light at a lower efficiency too so you will notice that the classrooms will be more well lit, which will make learning easier,” senior and AP environmental student Deven Moroney said.

“Now that LED has come down in price, it looks like it’s getting ready to be [in the process for approval, and] that’s what I hope to do in the future.” Gorman said. “There’s no plans for it just yet, but I hope to do that in the future.”