Energy loss & carbon footprint for Education
10 April 2008
Schools represent about 15% of the total carbon footprint of the public sector. And whilst much is written about energy loss in winter – the situation in summer needs serious attention.
Left: Windows contribute to a building’s carbon footprint – yet there is a simple remedy available.
Windows are a major energy issue throughout the year. In summer about 90% of sunlight travels through glass in windows causing problems with glare on screens and heat gain. The temperature inside buildings increases and people switch on cooling devices, which wastes energy.
People close blinds to avoid the sun’s direct heat. However, though closing blinds takes away the sensation, the heat is still entering the room and internal temperatures will rise. According to the Building Research Establishment (BRE) solar gains in a glazed building can account for ten times the heat generated by equipment or lighting.
Closing blinds also affects the natural daylight which is so essential to aid the work and study process as illustrated by research undertaken by Hershong Mahone Group which showed that a group of people learning under most natural daylight progressed 20% faster than those subjected to the least daylight.
Very often when blinds are closed, supplementary lighting is switched on which uses energy and adds to the building’s carbon footprint.
The net result is high levels of energy are used in summer with a negative affect on carbon footprint. Ironically, a lot of this wastage could be limited by applying a very simple principle: keep the heat and glare out of the building in the first place. The installation of Solar Control Window Film filters out up to 75% of the heat and glare. Modern high-technology window films exist which can measurably reduce transmitted heat and glare and yet have very high levels of visible light transmission.
Window film is a convenient solution as it can be installed on selective windows with little disruption to activity. And right from the start it improves the work/study environment and neutralises the organisation’s carbon footprint.
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- 07/02/2011 - Durable offers free help on Regulation 14
- 07/02/2011 - Durable offers free help on Regulation 14
- 16/06/2010 - When it comes to windows is your organisation a carbon footprint...
- 13/05/2010 - Are you a summer carbon saint or sinner?
- 13/05/2010 - Cooler workplace for free
- 13/05/2010 - Pay-back time for FMs
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare for Hospitals
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare for Schools
- 10/04/2008 - Carbon footprint
- 10/04/2008 - Energy loss & carbon footprint for Hospitals
- 13/03/2008 - The problems with windows
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 3.
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 2.
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 1.
