GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - School District 51 is going green and being rewarded for it.

Monday the district was awarded the Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award for its work with the Trane Corporation.

The School District teamed up with Trane to upgrade schools across the district in an effort to be more energy efficient while saving money in the process.

With the help of the Governor’s Energy Office and grand money, the District will be able to spend $8.63 million on the project.

Trane will foot the bill upfront and allow the district to pay it back with the guaranteed savings from the energy efficient upgrades. Officials say those savings are quite substantial.

Director of Maintenance and Operations for District 51 Cal Clark says, “The first year close to $650,000 based on today's energy rates. Electricity and gas rates so it's a considerable savings."

The three-phase project is halfway through phase two and District 51 plans to complete the project by August.