The proposed Niskey Lake Middle School is designed to have solar heating in half of the building, solar water heating for the entire facility, and solar cooling for the administration area. (Author/MLF)

An energy task group of the American Institute of Architects discusses design features and options that educational facility designers can use to create an energy efficient school building. Design elements cover the building envelope, energy storage system, hydronic heating/cooling systems, solar energy collection, building orientation and shape,…

The American Institute of Architects National Committee on Architecture for Education presents this guide which addresses methods of energy conservation in school buildings with simple design, construction, and equipment-control technology so that trained and creative people can take over functions normally done by machinery and automated…

A Florida study examined differences in energy uses in two adjacent portable classrooms to determine if these types of facilities can be made more energy efficient through retrofitting. Retrofitting included an efficient lighting system, new air conditioners, and reflective white metal roofs. Data show the white metal roofing reduced roof,…

Describes new applications being found for solar energy as a result of technical advances and a variety of economic and social forces. Discusses the basic requirements for a solar climate control system and outlines factors that should stimulate greater use of solar energy in the near future. (JR)

Discussion of proper thermal environment for protection of sophisticated educational equipment such as computer and data-processing machines, magnetic tapes, closed-circuit television and video tape communications systems.

A Kansas school district uses computers, an energy management consultant, retrofitting, and school cleaning scheduling to reduce energy use. Documented results of energy use were part of successful applications by nine school administrators for retrofitting grants. (MLF)

Explains how indoor air quality is affected by pollutants in the air and also by temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Increased ventilation alone seldom solves the "sick building syndrome." Lists ways to improve indoor air quality and optimize energy efficiency. (MLF)

The North Carolina General Assembly directed the State Building Commission to study the comparative costs of multi- and single-prime contracting and report the results to the 1995 General Assembly. Describes the analysis of data collected from governmental units that had awarded construction contracts. Identifies some alternative contracting…

Boulder Valley (Colorado) finds savings with an energy-management strategy that makes conservation automatic. Phase-one strategies included a complete lighting system upgrade and a computerized climate-control system. The energy program has helped the district cut monthly kilowatt consumption by 42%, and natural gas consumption has dropped 27%.…

Discusses the problem of low acoustical performance in many of today's K-12 classrooms and its impact on student learning. The following three primary types of classroom noise and their control are explored: reverberation; climate control system noise; and noise from outside the classroom. (GR)

Highlights the different design approaches that may be taken and the HVAC systems that result depending on the type of educational facility involved, be it an elementary, secondary, or postsecondary institution. Explores school indoor air quality issues and highlights the roles and responsibilities of IAQ project participants. A case study…

Discusses an effort to design a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system flexible enough to accommodate an easy conversion of classrooms to laboratories and dry labs to wet labs. The design's energy efficiency and operations and maintenance are examined. (GR)