Green schools for health and savings
There is mounting evidence that in the construction and renovation of school buildings, attention to energy efficiency and climate control not only saves money but also helps promote an environment that is more conducive to learning.
The U.S. Green Building Council estimates that attention to green details in schools — notably through energy efficiency and water consumption habits — can save the average school $100,000 annually. That’s the equivalent of being able to hire two new teachers or invest in approximately 200 computers. If every new school construction project or retrofit took green concerns into account moving forward, the impact of energy efficiency alone could save $20 billion over the next decade.
In addition, studies have shown that buildings with better natural lighting leads to improvement in student performance, good indoor air quality improves health, better acoustics increases learning potential, and comfortable indoor temperatures increase occupant satisfaction.
The USGBC has produced a short promotional video highlighting learning in a green school, as told by the students of the Sidwell Friends school.
