They are saving tax payers thousands of dollars, all while doing something great for the environment.
Marion County is banking in the savings from three separate energy efficient projects.
Solar panels at the Marion County Jail heat up the inmates' water used to take showers. And a Heat Recovery System harnesses the hot air dispersed by the jail's air conditioning units and uses it to heat up the water used to cook three meals a day for more than 2,000 inmates- and do their laundry.
The systems save the county about $35,000 a year.
"The taxpayers will recoup the savings for 20 to 30 years," Andy Race, Marion County Facilities Management Director told TV20. "It's a great system for us."
The county also gave the green light to continue installing energy efficient traffic signals which are now used at all county intersections. They will save the county about $75,000 a year. The energy saving projects were funded primarily by stimulus grants.