Energy consumption represents the second highest operational expense to schools, second only to salaries. Each year, a significant portion of taxpayer dollars are spent on school utility expenses, thereby cutting into funding that could be allocated to resources for students. On average, zero energy schools can use between 65%–80% less energy than conventionally constructed schools, and the remaining energy required is supplied by renewable energy. In addition, zero energy schools can become prominent community landmarks that educate a new generation of students with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills critical to our nation’s future.
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Arlington County is facing massive growth in the next decade and is seeking to add half a million square feet in educational facilities. Discovery Elementary is Arlington's first zero-energy school. Not only did the project come in under budget, but the building is more efficient than originally predicted. Now Discovery saves $100,000 per year in utility costs, enough to cover the salaries of two teachers.
This report challenges the assumption that zero-energy K-12 schools are cost-prohibitive. By examining the costs of a subset of existing ZE schools and the strategies used to contain those costs, architects, engineers, owners, and researchers are challenging the notion that cost is a barrier to building ZE schools.
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Video
Arlington County is facing massive growth in the next decade and is seeking to add half a million square feet in educational facilities. Discovery Elementary is Arlington's first zero-energy school. Not only did the project come in under budget, but the building is more efficient than originally predicted. Now Discovery saves $100,000 per year in utility costs, enough to cover the salaries of two teachers.
Most buildings today use a lot of energy -- to keep the lights on, cool the air, heat water, and power personal devices. Even installing solar systems will not significantly counter the heavy energy load. There are, however, some buildings that strike a balance; or even tip the scales the other way!
Partners
- Adams 12 - Five Star SchoolsArlington County School DistrictAssociation for Learning EnvironmentsBaltimore City Public SchoolsBoulder Valley School DistrictCollaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)Douglas County School District, COHermosa Beach City School DistrictHorry County SchoolsNational Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)National Energy Education Development (NEED) ProjectNew Buildings InstituteNortheast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)Rocky Mountain InstituteState of CaliforniaThe Energy CoalitionU.S. Department of Education
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South Carolina
Horry County SchoolsCalifornia
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)The Energy CoalitionHermosa Beach City School DistrictVirginia
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)Arlington County School DistrictNational Energy Education Development (NEED) ProjectOregon
New Buildings InstituteMinnesota
District Of Columbia
U.S. Department of EducationColorado
Boulder Valley School DistrictRocky Mountain InstituteDouglas County School District, COMassachusetts
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)Arizona
Association for Learning Environments