Information in this section includes activities and materials that help reduce energy waste, encourage the use of clean energy, and prevent pollution.
Some initial groundwork is required before implementing an energy efficiency project that intentionally includes pollution prevention (P2). Simple research on current technology is often sufficient. Regional assistance is available through state agencies. Often a program supported by the full school community is the best way to get the necessary buy-in and to set P2 goals and policy. An energy management plan generally includes the following steps:
How you initiate a school energy program depends upon the school's needs. If the district is commissioning a new school, the designs need to incorporate beneficial energy-efficient standards from the beginning of the process.
Whole building design is a way to integrate energy efficiency in every aspect of new construction and renovation. This design process uses different design specialties such as architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and interior design. Building configuration and placement, building envelope, appliances and equipment, daylighting, artificial lighting, and building materials used are all considered throughout the entire design process. Energy cost and use are calculated very early in the design so that others involved in design are able to consider the implications of building orientation, configuration, window and door placement, mechanical systems, and lighting options.
In an existing building, do an energy audit to identify where and how much energy is being used. Audits usually reveal issues that can be resolved quickly and can result in large energy savings. Whether you're designing from scratch or making changes to an existing building, you will lower your building's energy costs and improve the quality of the learning environment, which improves building performance and student achievement.
The following suggestions are some simple steps to establish an energy efficiency program:
Each of these steps offers many opportunities. Getting commitment from administrators allows the school to demonstrate that it is an energy efficiency leader in the district and the community. Taxpayers will appreciate that the district is using resources efficiently, especially when they understand the process.
Through the energy advisory committee, schools have an opportunity for representatives from different groups in the building (teachers, parents, maintenance, etc.) work toward common goals. In the case of a results-oriented project, short-term activities rather than long-term goals are important.
Conducting an energy audit provides an opportunity for outside agencies to assist, as well as to better understand the overall school operation, offering many opportunities for change. Because of rapidly increasing energy costs, many federal, state and local government agencies have existing programs and experts to assist school staff with implementing energy programs.
When schools implement necessary changes based on adequate funding, this allows for a variety of players to participate while achieving short-term results with long-term impacts. Finally, opportunities for communicating results include state and national energy reduction awards, employee newsletters, press and electronic media, and parent and student awareness.
Another pollution prevention opportunity is to educate the public on energy efficient strategies. Multi-disciplinary activities can be used in classrooms to teach children about the types of energy and energy behaviors. These lessons are constructed to encourage students to take the lessons they learned home to their parents and into the community. These activities should also be shared with school administrators and the school board.
Teachers can work with students to design and conduct energy audits of their homes, as well as classrooms. They can prepare lessons on energy consumption and then evaluate the results by surveying the class. The students can then design their own plans to address the findings.
Simple substitutions for energy equipment can also reduce pollution. LED light bulbs:
In addition to longer life expectancy from higher performance, better quality equipment reduces waste in landfills. More efficient HVAC equipment reduces reliance upon less green/sustainable energy production utilities.
Energy efficient design strategies encourage the practice of stewardship within the school and community, which then extends to other practices. It helps to establish a better-informed population that extends beyond concern for escalating heating and cooling costs. Reduction of pollution can and will reduce budget expenses for non-education based items.
Creating a more efficient building eliminates areas where outdoor air and indoor air interact. Improved insulation, sealed gaps around pipes and air ducts, and tighter sweeps around doors help to eliminate entrances for pests. By reducing pest populations in schools, schools use fewer pesticides, which this improves the air quality and reduces the risk of environmental contamination from chemicals. Pest management has a strong correlation with energy-efficient school design.