IDAHO FALLS - Schools in District 91 received a big award Wednesday for saving energy by doing the little things during their custodial routines, like turning off the lights.

"If you're not here, why have it on?"

Fifteen schools received the Energy Star Label for changing the way they use energy.

"Turn off our lights, turn off our water heaters," said Brett Holderson, Custodian, "in any areas that aren't being used, make sure the lights are off."

Something as simple as flipping a light switch is saving this school district more than $40,000 a month.

In addition, shutting down computers when they are not being used has saved the district more than a million dollars in energy costs.

"What we've accomplished is getting everybody in a pretty complex environment in a school district to do months and months and months what most people can't get their families to do in a day," said Ed Graff, Energy Education.

Custodians accepted the award on behalf of the school and can't believe such a small effort is being noticed on such a large scale.

"The fact that we've been able to achieve energy star status, the only one in the state, and the only one of five to have achieved greater than 30 percent savings, that's just phenomenal," Dana Wood, District 91.

The 15 selected schools are the only energy star efficient facilities in the entire state of Idaho.

"It's hundreds of little things we do to save energy."

By remembering to do the little things, the district is able to do more in their schools and give back to the community.

This is the district's third year in the program.