Absent from William Blount High School in Maryville, these days are small appliances like refrigerators, microwaves and space heaters.  Principal Steve Lafon said they were rounded up and removed last school year.

"It really started out more to save money.  We were in a very tight budget at the time. Because of that,  it really pushed us to save as much money as we could," said Lafon.

School leaders and teachers pulled the plug on more than 150 appliances. English teacher Lisa Millsaps' refrigerator was among them.

"I thought that can't make that much of a difference. I was reluctant," said Millsaps.  

But Lafone said in six months the school was able to cut its energy costs by 18 percent.  It amounted to more than $32,000.

"We realized by doing this we might save one person's job," he said. 

The school didn't stop there.  They switched out old light bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent light bulbs.  Computers are turned off if they're not in use.

Lafon said the goal is to cut electricity use by 25 percent in the future . 

Ms. Millsaps is now a believer. " I want everyone to know this does make a difference. I've been shocked."

William Blount and other Blount County schools could actually get money back for their energy saving efforts. If the schools reduce their power bills between September and November, the county will give back to each school half of the amount they saved.