Zero Energy Schools
Zero Energy Schools
 |
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. |
The latest Energy Department breaking news, announcements, and updates featuring Better Buildings Accelerators.
Better Buildings hosts interactive webinars featuring a variety of topics exploring cost-effective ways for organizations to integrate energy savings into their daily building operations. All Better Buildings webinars are free to attend.
The Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit is transitioning to a virtual leadership symposium, taking place June 8-11, 2020. Experience 4 days of sessions, workshops, recognition, and more with industry experts and peers.
Featured Solutions
 |
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 guide provides user-friendly guidance for achieving a zero energy K-12 school building. It establishes a set of energy performance goals and applies to all sizes and classifications of K-12 school buildings (elementary, middle, high). Space types covered include administrative and office space, classrooms, hallways, restrooms, gymnasiums and multipurpose rooms, libraries, and food preparation and dining areas. |
 |
Developed as part of DOE's Zero Energy Schools Accelerator (ZESA), this guide outlines 8 steps to creating a Zero Energy school. |
Other Resources
Case Studies
Fact Sheet
Guidance
Videos
Priorities
Partners
A-Z
Adams 12 - Five Star Schools | ||
Arlington County School District | Association for Learning Environments | Baltimore City Public Schools |
Boulder Valley School District | Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) | Douglas County School District, CO |
Hermosa Beach City School District | Horry County Schools | |
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) | National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project | |
New Buildings Institute | Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) | Rocky Mountain Institute |
State of California | ||
The Energy Coalition | ||
U.S. Department of Education |
Location
Arizona
Association for Learning Environments |
California
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) | Hermosa Beach City School District | |
The Energy Coalition |
Colorado
Boulder Valley School District | Douglas County School District, CO | Rocky Mountain Institute |
District Of Columbia
U.S. Department of Education |
Maryland
Baltimore City Public Schools |
Massachusetts
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) |
Minnesota
Oregon
New Buildings Institute |
South Carolina
Horry County Schools |
Virginia
Arlington County School District | National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) | |
National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project |