Good Stewards
Sep 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jim French and Rod Oathout
High-performance facilities reduce operating costs, improve learning, benefit the environment, and provide a good example for the next generation.
Many other systems and system hybrids can produce similar energy-performance results, including variable refrigerant systems, which are beginning to develop a track record in the United States.
HVAC systems that conserve energy, but do not provide the desired indoor environment, are counterproductive. The first step in selecting an appropriate system is defining important environmental criteria such as temperature, humidity and microscopic consideration. Oversized systems add unnecessary cost to the project, and often struggle to maintain the desired indoor environment and energy performance. Displacement ventilation systems affect the indoor air quality positively and enable schools to minimize the capacity of the mechanical system.
Automated controls for the HVAC system and lighting (either with infrared or ultrasonic sensors) enable the systems to work efficiently and turn off when not in use. Building commissioning is a good way to verify that the equipment installed is operating correctly. Budgetary constraints, and a school staff's ability to operate and maintain a system are important factors in determining which system will work best.
Additional renewable-energy options include active and passive solar systems, as well as wind turbines. These once were viewed as cost-prohibitive for use in schools; now, the technology has become more affordable, and grants can offset the higher initial cost. A school that uses these systems can incorporate curriculum focused on solar and wind technologies to provide students with real-world learning opportunities.
Existing facilities
When modernizing existing facilities, institutions can improve indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency most dramatically by replacing roofs, windows, and HVAC and lighting systems. Adding or modernizing a building-automation system often improves the indoor environment and has an attractive life-cycle cost.
Many unique circumstances affect this evaluation, so specific trends are difficult to quantify. Schools should improve the building envelope at the same time they upgrade HVAC or building-automation systems so that the energy does not escape to the outdoors.
French is a senior principal and the K-12 education leader for DLR Group, a design firm with 15 offices nationwide. Rod Oathout, LEED AP, is a principal and mechanical engineer with the firm. They work in the Overland Park, Kan., office and can be reached at (913)897-7811, jfrench@dlrgroup.com or roathout@dlrgroup.com.
33.4
Percentage of energy saved with sustainable schools vs. comparable conventional schools.
Source: USGBC
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