facilities improvements
Our Facilities Director, Bernie Weintraub has overseen a number of infrastructure improvements that reduce our school's environmental impact. Approximately 15,000 square feet of old roofing material has been replaced with TPO (thermoplastic olefin) white roofing material. TPO is a single-ply membrane UV resistant roofing system consisting of three layers. The membrane’s white reflective surface exceeds the EPA’s Energy Star Requirements. The white surface helps reduce cooling and heating bills and its solar reflective properties contribute to a reduction of energy waste from HVAC systems. TPO does not contain chlorine and it is one of the few 100% recyclable roofing materials that can be fully recycled and used again in the TPO manufacturing process. TPO roofing also qualifies for LEED credits.
A total facility “Energy Audit” and follow through with extensive demolition and reconstruction to our library and the lower level in our Museum Building enabled us to convert school wide to all energy efficient exterior and interior lighting. Our library has skylights that affect the intensity of the new LED light fixtures. It has been estimated that annually we will have an energy savings of about 48,000 KW/H or $7,500, and we also qualified for Potomac Edison’s incentive program.
The Barnesville School has 26 individual HVAC units dating back twenty-two years. Within the last ten years, a program was established to replace these with new energy efficient units. In the last four years, nine new HVAC units were installed totaling 444,000 BTU. The last three units were installed during the summer of 2013. Energy savings for these nine units per year is estimated to be $10,247 compared to the replaced old units, or $110,400 over the life expectancy of the new units.
A total facility “Energy Audit” and follow through with extensive demolition and reconstruction to our library and the lower level in our Museum Building enabled us to convert school wide to all energy efficient exterior and interior lighting. Our library has skylights that affect the intensity of the new LED light fixtures. It has been estimated that annually we will have an energy savings of about 48,000 KW/H or $7,500, and we also qualified for Potomac Edison’s incentive program.
The Barnesville School has 26 individual HVAC units dating back twenty-two years. Within the last ten years, a program was established to replace these with new energy efficient units. In the last four years, nine new HVAC units were installed totaling 444,000 BTU. The last three units were installed during the summer of 2013. Energy savings for these nine units per year is estimated to be $10,247 compared to the replaced old units, or $110,400 over the life expectancy of the new units.
playground overhaul
The Early Childhood and Kindergarten playground is undergoing a transformation in an effort to create a natural play-scape for our students outdoor learning and play! We have long term plans to implement wooden play instruments, in-ground slides and other natural play centers. In the fall of 2014, we removed the plastic boat and playhouse, and replaced them with a large cedar wood ship. The many components of this ship help the younger students development their gross motor skills.