New energy-efficient boilers and chillers will be installed in county schools with $273,307 in federal stimulus money awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Cherokee County is among 85 school districts sharing $40 million provided to school districts and colleges for energy efficiency projects. The school district recently had its application approved by the South Carolina Energy Office. The state office is distributing the energy stimulus funds.

Cherokee County will receive $204,980 in a direct grant and $68,327 through a zero-interest loan. Money was distributed to school districts using a formula that gives top priority to large energy users and projects ready for immediate implementation.

High efficiency boilers will be placed at Blacksburg Middle, Blacksburg High, Luther Vaughan and Mary Bramlett elementaries, according to a list presented at Monday’s school board meeting. The district plans to upgrade the energy management system at Gaffney High and a high-efficiency chiller will be placed at Cherokee Technology Center.

The school energy projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Finance director Ben Childs said the district’s debt service fund will be used to repay the loan in two years.

“The thought process is school districts will be able to use the money saved by energy conservation to make the loan payment,” Childs said.