Northern Middle Serves as National Example of Energy Efficiency

GCS continues to design new school facilities that are innovative and sustainable

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 10/21/2009 3:04:20 PM

Northern Middle continues to be recognized by national organizations for its innovative design and energy efficiency. Since the school opened in January 2007, it has set a standard for sustainability, one that Guilford County Schools (GCS) and other districts are using to further introduce green specifications into school construction. Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy presented a case study on Northern’s energy efficiency at the Council of Educational Facility Planners annual conference in Washington, D.C. This event attracts experts in school facility planning from around the world. The case study describes the holistic nature of the school’s design. By considering the way the school’s lighting, heating, cooling and other systems would work together, GCS created a green school for the same cost as a traditional school facility.

“This extensive evaluation will help us continue to build the best learning environments for our students that are cost effective up-front and economically efficient to operate for many years to come,” said Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer. “We want to continue to be innovative and good stewards of public dollars as we incorporate what is working and the lessons learned from every project into the next project.” Now almost two years after opening, Northern is saving thousands of dollars in energy costs and resources. By using 43 percent less energy than a school of comparable size and climate, the school saves about $77,000 in energy costs each year, based on Energy Star data. The school also saves about 9 million gallons of water per year by collecting rainwater and using a water cycle approach.

GCS was the first school district in North Carolina to develop its own set of detailed green design specifications. The Guilford Green Guide (G3) outlines the district’s requirements for the processes, materials and design qualities to be used in school construction. Through the use of this guide, some of the district’s new school facilities have been designed to meet the requirements for the Energy Star rating developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. GCS also received the Sustainable Energy Leadership Award in 2006 from the N.C. State Energy Office. Along with the G3, GCS follows energy-saving standards developed by organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy. When designing Northern, the district worked with architects from Innovative Design to do energy modeling and simulations of how the heating, cooling and lighting systems would work together in the building. As a result, the building’s systems are more efficient.

At Northern, natural daylight is the primary lighting source for classrooms, the gymnasium and administrative offices during two-thirds of the daylight hours. Simulations show that the natural daylighting cuts the energy used by lights in half. Since daylight produces less heat than fluorescent lighting, the facility can accommodate a heating and air conditioning system that is 20 percent smaller than is typical for 140,000-square-foot buildings. The school’s commitment to sustaining natural resources is demonstrated through its water cycle. A 360,000-gallon tank collects rainwater, which is used in the school’s toilets. When the water is flushed, it travels to a plant-based cleansing wetland and then is used to water the athletic fields through an underground irrigation system. In addition, about 75 percent of the school’s hot water is provided by solar power.

One of the district’s primary goals in designing energy-efficient and sustainable facilities is to create a 3-D learning experience for students. By attending school in a green environment, students learn the importance of conserving energy and natural resources. Teachers at Northern can incorporate the building’s features into classroom learning. The school’s systems are monitored in real-time, and the data is readily available for use. “Many of the green features of our school correlate directly with the science content we are teaching our students in our classrooms and offer an excellent example to students of how we can lessen our ecological footprint on our planet even while at school,” said Sam Misher, principal at Northern. “Students are excited to learn more about what makes our school green.”

Misher said Northern’s faculty and student organizations have extended the school’s environmental awareness beyond the facility by collecting items like batteries and grocery bags for recycling. Students also participate in stream cleaning and trash collection on the campus and around the community. GCS has used similar green building designs for several other new schools, including Reedy Fork Elementary, Northern Elementary, Northern High and Eastern High. The same principles that have gained national recognition for Northern Middle will be used continually as the district builds new schools that are in the 2008 school bond projects. The Facilities Department takes an active role in the design of construction projects and provides its green specifications to architects working on the district’s projects.

In addition to new construction, the district is seeking for all of its facilities to be energy-efficient and sustainable. Goals in the strategic plan call for the development of a district-wide energy master plan and the development of a system for energy consumption monitoring. For more information, contact Joe Hill, GCS facilities consultant, at hillj@gcsnc.com.

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About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.