April 6, 2009—As school boards and superintendents develop programs to utilize recent U.S. economic recovery stimulus funds, projects focused on improving energy efficiency can result in long-term savings for school districts.
Guidance from The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) can help schools earn an A+ in achieving that efficiency.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, provides significant funding and financing opportunities to modernize, renovate and repair public schools. ASHRAE and other leading building industry organizations have developed the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings, which provides recommendations for achieving 30 percent energy savings over the minimum code requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999.
Estimates show that a full 16 percent of schools districts’ controllable costs is spent on energy, says ASHRAE.
“Beyond energy savings, by implementing the recommendations, schools may benefit from an improved learning environment, reduced operating costs, reduced environmental and climate impacts, and enhanced teaching opportunities on the environment,” ASHRAE President Bill Harrison said.
Copies of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings are available for free download. Print copies may be ordered from the ASHRAE Bookstore on the Web site.
