Massachusetts High-Performance Green Schools – Case Study

1. Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Library & Media Center. This projects features include utilizing daylight extensively, energy efficient lighting systems, and high performance windows. Massachusetts High-Performance Green Schools – Case Study

2. Understand solar orientation Understand wind patterns Understand natural resources (wetlands) and topography Site Analysis Fact: Smart site design can preserve natural areas, minimize stormwater runoff, control erosion, reduce heat islands, and prevent light pollution.

3. Energy Efficient Building Design • Three story design to minimize the building area • Natural lighting throughout • Courtyard design to allow natural light into core spaces

4. Baseline windows: U value = 0.57 Shading Coefficient = 0.88 Specified Windows: U value = 0.31 Shading Coefficient = 0.46 Solar Screen, Low-E, Blue Green Increased Glazing Efficiency Fact: Windows specified provide electricity and natural gas savings by reducing cooling load due to solar radiation and heating energy loss due to heat conduction through the glass.

5. Increase Insulation R Values • Wall Insulation: • Increased code minimum of R-7.5 continuous insulation to R-10 continuous • Roof Insulation: • Increased code minimum R-17.7 continuous insulation to R-20 continuous Fact:Increased building insulation levels improve energy performance.

6. Cool Roof Technology • Installation of a cool roof reduces heat gain on the building and reduces the heat island effect. • Cool roof used is a white membrane installed on 95% of the roof surface. FACT: Buildings with light colored roofs can realize a reduction in cooling energy by as much as 40%.

7. Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Energy Efficient Systems: Lighting • Daylight harvesting technologies • Direct/Indirect pendant fixtures • High-bay fixtures with compact fluorescents allow instant on-off • Reduced lighting power densities • All lighting fixtures manufactured in MA or RI

8. High Efficiency condensing gas-fired boilers Modular design allows staging boilers to match heating load This 235,000 sq. ft. high school uses less gas than one of the districts existing 8 classroom elementary schools Energy Efficient Systems: HVAC

9. Energy Efficient Systems: HVAC • Fully reactive controls: • Automated with occupancy controlled VAV boxes • Demand controlled ventilation in large spaces • Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) control fan and pump motors • Hybrid chilled water system • Multiple condensing DHW heaters • Centrally located mechanical room • Variable primary pumping (no secondary pumps)

10. Whitman-Hanson Regional High SchoolRenewable Energy Systems • 51 kW PV system • Evergreen Solar panels manufactured in MA • Oriented due south at a 29° angle • Rack system did not require roof penetrations • Production last year equaled 59,219 KWh

11. Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Case Study Summary: • 577,037 KWh electric savings per year relative to Code • 11,719 Therms gas savings per year relative to Code • $100,060 energy cost savings per year • 972,360 gallons water savings per year relative to Code • $1,109,800 total grants and rebates earned • $826,853 DOEd / MSBA state incentives • Net incremental cost to taxpayers = (-$70,404)

12. Energy Efficiency Programs in Massachusetts