DOE announces design guidelines for lowering school utility bills - Issues and Events

Engineered Systems, Sept, 2002

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham recently announced the release of six books that complete "Energy Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools," a series of publications that could help school districts save millions of dollars on annual utility bills by designing energy-efficient schools compatible with regional climates.

"Our nation's schools spend more than $6 billion on energy costs per year," Secretary Abraham said. "With these guidelines, schools can lower their energy bills by 25% and spend the savings for books, computers, more teachers, and other worthy programs that improve learning. These guidelines support President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" initiative by creating better learning and teaching conditions through energy efficiency in schools across the country."

David Garman, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, officially released six of the guidelines at the DOE's State Energy Program/Rebuild America National Conference in New Orleans. He also unveiled the National Best Practices Manual for High Performance Schools which provides engineering and architectural specifications and other details on how to apply the guidelines.

"These books provide information that school districts have been requesting," Garman said. "The guidelines also address health and safety issues and will help school districts improve the learning environment for less cost. These guidelines will enhance the energy efficiency and indoor environment of other buildings as well."

The publications provide information on site design, daylighting and windows, energy-efficient building shells, lighting and electrical systems, mechanical and ventilation systems, renewable energy systems, water conservation, recycling systems and waste management, transportation, and resource-efficient building products.

Copies of "Energy Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools" and the "National Best Practices Manual for High Performance Schools" are available free to the school design community in book form or in CD-ROM by calling 800-DOE-3 732. They are also available in .pdf format on the EnergySmart Schools web-site, www.energysmartschools.gov.