Montgomery County is embarking on an energy-saving initiative that is expected to save enough electricity to power a house for a year.

As part of a $3.2 million energy conservation grant, Montgomery County will begin the first phase of retrofitting project to improve efficiency in five county buildings.

The project includes new lights, light sensor and solar panels, estimated to save 9,100 kilowatts. The average home uses 8,900 kilowatts annually.

Among the buildings to be retrofitted are the old Commissioners Court Building, the courthouse parking area, the juvenile detention center, and two county parking garages.

The buildings will be equipped with more energy efficient lighting as well as room sensor that will turn off lights when no one is present. The county also is installing LED lights and solar panels on the parking garages, which will generate enough power to handle the electric needs of those facilities, said Mark Bosma, director of infrastructure for the county.

The county currently uses 219,143 watts at the five facilities. The upgrades are expected to reduce electric use to about 127,320 watts or about 9,100 kilowatts, Bosma said.

A&H Electric was awarded the contract to do the work at a cost of $388,463.

During an initial retrofit of the old Commissioners Court building, the county saved about 11,000 watts or 60 percent on electric cost, a savings of $17,000 in just seven months, Bosma said.