A SIMPLE APPROACH TO SAVING ENERGY IN SCHOOLS

Saving energy and alternative sources are "technically" discussed in the "Characteristics" chapter.

It seemed useful to us to report some "reflections" taken form the book "Come risparmiare energia nelle scuole" (How to Save Energy in Schools) by Mario Scheichenbauer and Giorgio Ponti - Ed. Province of Milan and Cisem, to use as a base for scholastic information.

Energy costs eat a large slice of schools' general budget.

There are many things we can do to save energy including the build's shape, thermal insulation, efficient systems and renewable energy.

In the graphic on the side, we see a situation with balanced energy sources and tolerable dispersion.

The following points detail improvements that can be made.  

TO SAVE ENERGY IN SCHOOLS, WE CAN INTERVENE IN FOUR FIELDS:

1) the shape of the building,

choosing appropriately: volume, layout, color, typical and shade types and range.

2) thermal insulation and material,

modify thermal insulation, gaps, thermal inertia and condensation...

3) The systems Choices:

fuel, heater placement, type and number of heaters, ventilation.

4) Renewable energy use,

using active and passive solar energy, geothermal energy, waste recovery.

ERRORS TO AVOID TO NOT WASTE ENERGY:

• Do not design uneven forms, they increase the heat losing surface area.

• Do not choose large solutions, they increase the volume of air to heat, and the limits by law are 9.7 M2 per student.

• Do not build balconies and overhangs, they act like the fins of a radiator and disperse heat..

• Do not use dark colors on surfaces exposed to the sun in summer, black, blue, red, and green absorb heat and transmit it inside.

THERMAL INSULATION AND MATERIAL: HOW, WHERE AND HOW MUCH...

• Place adequate insulation; a nice cover and you will never be cold again, even in the mountains. Size: lower limits, laws

• Place insulation towards the outside; following the design of the human body; insulating fat on the outside, working muscles and skeleton on the inside..

• Avoid gaps in the insulation; heat is lost through holes in insulation.

• Plan for adequate window frames and glass; windows loose heat through the glass and also the gaps in the window frame. Therefore, double glass, rubber gaskets and insulating frames in wood or PVC.

• Take advantage of thermal inertia; remember that a hot brick placed in a bed heats it! Buildings can also work this way.

SYSTEMS: HOW TO DESIGN AND HOW TO MANAGE?

• Choose the most economic fuel: diesel, Kerosene, coal, wood, natural gas, methane, teleheating, geothermal.

• Make "heat" supply contracts; force the heating contractor to maintain the system; if it does not work, he fixes it.

• Install multiple heaters; two heaters divided 1/3 - 2/3 will work closer to their maximum efficiency.

• Do not put radiators near cold surfaces or insulate the back well: heat escapes through cold areas.

• Install time faucets for hot water; the water supplied must be the water used; save up to 30%.

• Reduce the forced ventilation to a minimum to recover heat: depending on the temperature difference from inside and outside, from 30 to 60% of the heat expelled is recoverable.