The end of summer signals pre-season football, last-minute getaways and the return of another school year. But at Oncor, it’s a time to finalize efforts to get school facilities ready across the Lone Star State.

Each year from June through August, Oncor employees work behind the scenes to ensure schools are in top-notch condition come back-to-school time. This summer, 57 schools throughout Oncor’s service area underwent upgrades or replacements, so we caught up with Kimberly Hooper, senior program manager at Oncor, to uncover some of the ways Oncor ensures schools are ready when that first bell rings:

1.   HVAC Upgrades: If there’s one thing Texas school kids and educators need, it’s a working air conditioner. That’s why HVAC units that are at the end of their 15-year life expectancy typically get replaced before the school year starts. To help with installation costs, Oncor’s Basic Commercial program offers monetary incentives for new heating and cooling systems. Oncor pays incentives to the approved service providers who then provide discounted rates for HVAC installation at schools.

2.   Lighting Replacements: Outdoor parking lots, gymnasiums, classrooms—there are many school venues that need to routinely have their lights replaced. Oncor offers incentives to schools that install LED lights, which can reduce electric usage. Plus, LED lights have a much longer life than normal lighting, and also provide more clarity—an added safety measure, especially for outdoor areas like parking lots.

3.   High-Efficiency Appliances: Appliance upgrades are an additional option that will help schools save more energy and money. High-efficiency ovens, as well as ENERGY STAR® dishwashers and reach-in freezers, are some of the appliances that schools can qualify for. Like the others, Oncor offers an incentive on these.

Read more about these programs and others at Oncor’s signature program, Take A Load Off, Texas.