Describes an award-winning school heating and cooling system in which two energy-efficient technologies, variable-flow pumping and geothermal heat pumps, were combined. The basic system schematic and annual energy use and cost savings statistics are provided. (GR)

Heating/ventilation/air conditioning/refrigeration (HVACR) technicians (also known as "heating and cooling technicians") are the people who install, maintain, test and repair the machines that control temperature, circulation, moisture and purity of air in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. These systems consist of a variety of…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

This report addresses solutions to problems of fungus growth on library materials. The first of four sections--"What Is Mold? Where Does It Come From?"--defines mold, mildew, and fungi, and describes their optimum environment (i.e., generally in conditions with temperatures above 70 degrees and relative humidity above 78%). The second…

Discusses issues addressed by OCLC in the construction of its new headquarters. Original design criteria and a retrospective appraisal of solutions are presented in the following areas: (1) structural requirements; (2) environmental considerations; (3) utilities; (4) fire protection; (5) security; and (6) workspace design. Essential design issues…

Having successfully used computer control in the solar-heated and cooled Terraset School, the Fairfax County, VA, Public Schools are now computerizing all their facilities. This article discusses the configuration and use of a countywide control system, reasons for the project's success, and problems of facility automation. (MCG)

An energy task group of the American Institute of Architects discusses design features and options that educational facility designers can use to create an energy efficient school building. Design elements cover the building envelope, energy storage system, hydronic heating/cooling systems, solar energy collection, building orientation and shape,…

The American Institute of Architects National Committee on Architecture for Education presents this guide which addresses methods of energy conservation in school buildings with simple design, construction, and equipment-control technology so that trained and creative people can take over functions normally done by machinery and automated…

A Kansas school district uses computers, an energy management consultant, retrofitting, and school cleaning scheduling to reduce energy use. Documented results of energy use were part of successful applications by nine school administrators for retrofitting grants. (MLF)

Boulder Valley (Colorado) finds savings with an energy-management strategy that makes conservation automatic. Phase-one strategies included a complete lighting system upgrade and a computerized climate-control system. The energy program has helped the district cut monthly kilowatt consumption by 42%, and natural gas consumption has dropped 27%.…

The principal publications the Arkansas Energy Office offers to the public on energy conservation, solar energy, and renewable energy resources are presented in this one volume for convenient reference. These publications are organized under the following headings: (1) retrofits for conservation; (2) solar energy; (3) active solar energy; (4)…

By using an energy audit, the Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 (Colorado) identified fuel-consuming areas in its schools and reduced the annual increases for fuel from 25 to 5 percent. Six steps to energy savings will work for other districts as well. (JW)

This report examines the problem of acoustic inadequacy in the classroom, how it affects students and teachers, and possible solutions. It explains how to predict classroom adequacy for communication by assessing the level of speech in competition with other noise, and the level of that competing noise itself in terms of reverberation that allows…

Parking, room temperature controls, wear-and-tear on furnishings, security, and other factors that should be considered in designing a community center are discussed. The importance of good planning based on community needs is emphasized. (PP)

A Florida campus became the laboratory for training energy technicians. The first year's class operation saved $37,500 in energy costs. (Author/MLF)