Building Design
OVERVIEW
In 2006 the Australian Government committed to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). Buildings consume 32% of the world's resources and use up to 40% of the world's energy reserves. It is the goal of Orion Primary to refurbish the school buildings in environmentally sustainable manner to achieve a minimum of a four star rating with the Green Building Council Australia.
The school proposes to evaluate the potential of the following refurbishments:
Installation of Eco-friendly insulation;
Installation of skylights; and
Installation of timers and thermostats for heating and cooling.
Insulation
Information provided by The City of Fremantle suggests that energy costs can be reduced by up to 40% by the installation of the appropriate insulation in both ceilings and walls. This will reduce the consumption of fossil fuels by reducing electricity requirements for both cooling and heating. The installation will lower energy costs allowing the funds saved to be directed towards further education initiatives. Student and teacher comfort will also be optimised due to increased stability of the classroom climate. It is proposed that cellulose insulation be installed as it is reasonably priced relative to other insulation types and is made from 83% recycled paper.
Skylights
By installing skylights the school will be able to take advantage of the natural resource of sunlight whilst cutting down on the reliance on artificial sources of lighting such as fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting contains mercury which can have adverse effects on both humans and animals if not disposed of correctly. By reducing the schools reliance on artificial lighting we will save on energy costs and reduce the amount of mercury which needs to be recycled.
Timers and thermostats for heating and cooling
Origin Energy estimates that 70% of energy used and 40 to 50% of the total energy bill for commercial enterprises in Australia can be attributed to heating, cooling and ventilation. This represents a significant saving opportunity to the school as well as reducing the school's contribution to greenhouse gases.
Retro fitting timers and thermostats to our existing heating and cooling systems will reduce energy usage as follows:
Automatic shut off outside standard teaching hours. Prevents waste of energy when systems are not required and removes the possibility of systems being accidentally left on overnight;
For occupant comfort, rooms suggested temperatures are 24 to 25 degrees in summer and 18 to 20 degrees in winter. Thermostats will maintain these temperatures by switching the units on and off when they are outside the acceptable range.
FUNDING
Local and state businesses will be approached with the intention of obtaining full or part sponsorship for the building initiatives on the basis that we will offer the opportunity to lift the profile of their business through promotion. The businesses would be mentioned on a billboard at the front of the school which would thank our sponsors, in school newsletters and in a local newspaper article on the green development of Orion Primary. Parents of students and the wider community will become more aware of the businesses involved and the benefits derived from the use of their products.
As mentioned previously, up to 70% of energy use by buildings can be attributed to heating, cooling and ventilation requirements. Reducing the energy required for heating and cooling brings about the expectation that any initial cots will be able to be recouped quickly. Once the project has paid for itself, ongoing savings can then be directed towards funding further educational initiatives such as the purchase of new books or new student excursions.
IMPLEMENTATION
Approach suppliers for sponsorship;
Meeting with suppliers at school for final design;
Commencement of refurbishment of classroom 2.1;
Skylights installed first (simpler to install prior to insulation being installed);
Insulation installed once skylights have been completed;
Installation of timers and thermostats (done outside of school hours as electricity will need to be turned off);
Refurbishment to occur during school holidays to minimize interruption to normal teaching period;
Fluorescent lights not required will be sold to a salvage yard for reuse to prevent mercury having to be recycled.
The majority of these works will occur during the school holiday period however as employees we can start making changes immediately. Please ensure that windows and doors are only closed or opened when appropriate as this will reduce the impact of heating and cooling on the class environment. Please also ensure that classroom lights and air conditioners are turned off when not required.
EVALUATION
A pilot project has been planned to evaluate the efficiency of the above mentioned initiatives. Once the renovation of class 2.1 has been completed it will be evaluated after a twelve month period has elapsed, to determine the viability of the project being rolled out school wide, given the recorded energy savings. During the twelve month period teachers will have the opportunity of using classroom 2.1 and will be provided with feedback forms. Teachers are encouraged to provide their feedback with respect to the going green project. A period of twelve months will allow the renovations to be evaluated under all seasonal conditions and gives a significant length of time to be able to determine to potential energy saving available to the school.
In 2006 the Australian Government committed to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). Buildings consume 32% of the world's resources and use up to 40% of the world's energy reserves. It is the goal of Orion Primary to refurbish the school buildings in environmentally sustainable manner to achieve a minimum of a four star rating with the Green Building Council Australia.
The school proposes to evaluate the potential of the following refurbishments:
Installation of Eco-friendly insulation;
Installation of skylights; and
Installation of timers and thermostats for heating and cooling.
Insulation
Information provided by The City of Fremantle suggests that energy costs can be reduced by up to 40% by the installation of the appropriate insulation in both ceilings and walls. This will reduce the consumption of fossil fuels by reducing electricity requirements for both cooling and heating. The installation will lower energy costs allowing the funds saved to be directed towards further education initiatives. Student and teacher comfort will also be optimised due to increased stability of the classroom climate. It is proposed that cellulose insulation be installed as it is reasonably priced relative to other insulation types and is made from 83% recycled paper.
Skylights
By installing skylights the school will be able to take advantage of the natural resource of sunlight whilst cutting down on the reliance on artificial sources of lighting such as fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting contains mercury which can have adverse effects on both humans and animals if not disposed of correctly. By reducing the schools reliance on artificial lighting we will save on energy costs and reduce the amount of mercury which needs to be recycled.
Timers and thermostats for heating and cooling
Origin Energy estimates that 70% of energy used and 40 to 50% of the total energy bill for commercial enterprises in Australia can be attributed to heating, cooling and ventilation. This represents a significant saving opportunity to the school as well as reducing the school's contribution to greenhouse gases.
Retro fitting timers and thermostats to our existing heating and cooling systems will reduce energy usage as follows:
Automatic shut off outside standard teaching hours. Prevents waste of energy when systems are not required and removes the possibility of systems being accidentally left on overnight;
For occupant comfort, rooms suggested temperatures are 24 to 25 degrees in summer and 18 to 20 degrees in winter. Thermostats will maintain these temperatures by switching the units on and off when they are outside the acceptable range.
FUNDING
Local and state businesses will be approached with the intention of obtaining full or part sponsorship for the building initiatives on the basis that we will offer the opportunity to lift the profile of their business through promotion. The businesses would be mentioned on a billboard at the front of the school which would thank our sponsors, in school newsletters and in a local newspaper article on the green development of Orion Primary. Parents of students and the wider community will become more aware of the businesses involved and the benefits derived from the use of their products.
As mentioned previously, up to 70% of energy use by buildings can be attributed to heating, cooling and ventilation requirements. Reducing the energy required for heating and cooling brings about the expectation that any initial cots will be able to be recouped quickly. Once the project has paid for itself, ongoing savings can then be directed towards funding further educational initiatives such as the purchase of new books or new student excursions.
IMPLEMENTATION
Approach suppliers for sponsorship;
Meeting with suppliers at school for final design;
Commencement of refurbishment of classroom 2.1;
Skylights installed first (simpler to install prior to insulation being installed);
Insulation installed once skylights have been completed;
Installation of timers and thermostats (done outside of school hours as electricity will need to be turned off);
Refurbishment to occur during school holidays to minimize interruption to normal teaching period;
Fluorescent lights not required will be sold to a salvage yard for reuse to prevent mercury having to be recycled.
The majority of these works will occur during the school holiday period however as employees we can start making changes immediately. Please ensure that windows and doors are only closed or opened when appropriate as this will reduce the impact of heating and cooling on the class environment. Please also ensure that classroom lights and air conditioners are turned off when not required.
EVALUATION
A pilot project has been planned to evaluate the efficiency of the above mentioned initiatives. Once the renovation of class 2.1 has been completed it will be evaluated after a twelve month period has elapsed, to determine the viability of the project being rolled out school wide, given the recorded energy savings. During the twelve month period teachers will have the opportunity of using classroom 2.1 and will be provided with feedback forms. Teachers are encouraged to provide their feedback with respect to the going green project. A period of twelve months will allow the renovations to be evaluated under all seasonal conditions and gives a significant length of time to be able to determine to potential energy saving available to the school.
RESOURCES
bottom left image retrieved from http://www.solarbright.com.au/commercial_skylights.html
Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet: Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning. (2008). Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://www.originenergy.com.au/files/SMEfs_HeatingAirCon.pdf
Energy Efficient Building Design. (2000). Retrieved October 17, 2012, from http ://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Home/Search?keyword=dbh12
ESD Design Guide Office and Buildings. (2007). Retrieved October 17, 2012, from http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/government/publications/esd-design/pubs/esd-design-guide.pdf
Greenstar Education - v1. (2012). Retrieved October 21, 2012, from http://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-tools/green-star-education-v1/1762.htm
Handling and Disposal of Fluorescent Lamps. (2011). Retrieved October 19, 2012, from http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/sustainability/pdf/recycling-fluorescent.pdf
Skylight Image. Retrieved 24th October 2012, from http://www.naturallighting.com.au/html/products/gallery_skylights.htm
top image retrieved from http://www.ecofolk.com.au/c/Envirocell-Australia-319794/Cellulose-Insulation-Systems-from-Envirocell-Australia-p100624
bottom left image retrieved from http://www.solarbright.com.au/commercial_skylights.html
Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet: Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning. (2008). Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://www.originenergy.com.au/files/SMEfs_HeatingAirCon.pdf
Energy Efficient Building Design. (2000). Retrieved October 17, 2012, from http ://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Home/Search?keyword=dbh12
ESD Design Guide Office and Buildings. (2007). Retrieved October 17, 2012, from http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/government/publications/esd-design/pubs/esd-design-guide.pdf
Greenstar Education - v1. (2012). Retrieved October 21, 2012, from http://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-tools/green-star-education-v1/1762.htm
Handling and Disposal of Fluorescent Lamps. (2011). Retrieved October 19, 2012, from http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/sustainability/pdf/recycling-fluorescent.pdf
Skylight Image. Retrieved 24th October 2012, from http://www.naturallighting.com.au/html/products/gallery_skylights.htm
top image retrieved from http://www.ecofolk.com.au/c/Envirocell-Australia-319794/Cellulose-Insulation-Systems-from-Envirocell-Australia-p100624