Have you ever wondered about the amount of energy being consumed in educational institutes? Imagine the bill total at the end of each month of electrical equipment – considering constant consumption of energy by air conditioners, an infinite number of light bulbs, electrical appliances, and equipment that creates the right environment for learning.
Think about the items that can be checked off the to-do list of these educational institutes by cutting down on consumption of energy on such a large scale. Schools can progress significantly in the academic field if the budget consumed by energy bills is rather spent on improving educational programs.
The best part is that the US Department of Energy provides free technical support and guidance to schools embracing energy efficient initiatives.
Here is a brief overview of the benefits that can be reaped by making schools energy efficient through effective construction.
1. Improvement In The Performance Of Students
Incorporating the day lighting element into educational institutes has actually been proven to improve academic outcomes. The buildings are structured and designed to use natural light to light up the school for the most part of the day. Careful construction will also lead to better air quality which is beneficial for the health of the staff and students, improving their performance positively.
2. Saving Up a Significant Amount
The funds spent on energy consumption are a close second to the salaries in most schools. More than half of the energy consumed can be reduced if correct measures are taken. Placing windows and using reflective surfaces to create natural lighting in schools will save up on a significant amount of money as most schools are only active during the day. According to EPA, a single school can save up to 25% of their operating budget by improving efficiency. The money can instead be spent on improving educational standards of the school, for example, for buying new books or hiring more qualified teachers to improve the quality of education.
3. No Additional Cost of Construction
Some educational institutions may be under the wrong impression that the construction of a school that adapts to day lighting will cost more than building a regular school structure. The truth is careful construction and a better design is all that is required to accomplish this feat. Energy efficient structures are designed to capture extra solar heat during winters and to avoid excessive heat gain during summer, reducing heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
4. A Lesson for the Community
Schools and other educational institutes are not only a source of learning for students but also for the whole community. They are expected to set examples and raise awareness through various initiatives. These initiatives can be used as subtle hints to the public about becoming aware of saving up on considerable amounts of energy. By embracing efficient practices, schools serve as a powerful reminder of our duty to the environment and help raise a generation better adapted to a greener lifestyle.
5. Schools Are Perfect Solar Panel Location
The roof of most schools is not in use for any sort of educational activity, which makes it an ideal location for installing solar panels. Besides the roof, parking lots can also be utilized for solar panels.
A new school energy paradigm has slowly started to gain momentum. The structure and construction patterns of most schools in the same district is similar and if most schools in the same district decide to adopt energy-saving strategies, others are most likely to follow. Efficiency needs to become a priority instead of a choice and greener schools can have a more significant impact on the population than conferences and awareness campaigns.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE ZERO HOMES! HEAD OVER TO SEE OUR HOMES.
