Dollar
Impact
School
districts can save 30% to 40% on utility costs each year for new
schools and 20% to 30% on renovated schools by applying
sustainable, high performance design and construction
concepts. The potential for savings is greater in new
schools because it is possible to eliminate inefficiencies right
from the start. According to the U.S. Department of
Energy's Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools Program
estimates, school energy costs are approximately $110 per
student per year, depending on region and climatic
conditions. Add in the costs of water, wastewater
processing and trash removal, and the cost rises to
approximately $140 per student per year. High-performance,
sustainable design solutions can yield savings of up to $56 per
student per year.
The costs and payback
periods of high-performance school building design may vary by
project and location. A school that incorporates many
elements of high performance design might have relatively higher "up
front" costs than a conventionally designed school, or it
might not, if careful trade offs are made. More
importantly, O&M cost savings continue to accrue over time,
and actually increase as energy costs rise.
Close interaction
among architects, engineers and owners at the outset of the
project helps them create a building that is energy efficient,
affordable, comfortable, healthful, and environmentally sound.
'Whole building' design software can help school planners and
designers make informed decisions among various building systems
and material options in order to maximize energy performance and
occupant comfort.
Workshops
To arrange for a High-Performance School Buildings© workshop
workshop in your community, please contact Ellen Larson Vaughan
at elarson@sbicouncil.org or 202-628-7400 ext. 211. This
road-tested, comprehensive training package is now available for
a standard, affordable price and includes:
- SBIC's
thoroughly vetted curriculum on High
Performance School Buildings©, which covers
characteristics/benefits/building blocks of
high-performance school buildings,
procurement guidance, and whole-building
design strategies;
- Two SBIC-trained
instructors;
- SBIC staff
coordination;
- 50 SBIC
High-Performance School Buildings Resource
and Strategy Guides (additional books may be
purchased at the discounted rate of $20.00
per unit);
- Promotional
flyer template;
- Agenda
template;
- Materials
for attendee packets;
- Registration
of workshop with AIA Continuing Education
System;
- Certificate
of completion
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With
an estimated 6,000 new schools needed by 2007 to serve
the growing K-12 student population and a third of
existing schools in need or repair or replacement, a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists for communities
nationwide to build better school facilities in which to
teach our children.
