Benefits
Benefits of High Performance Schools:
Improved Student performance
Healthier and more comfortable indoor environmental quality
Lower operating costs & increased durability
Reduced liability exposure
Enhanced staff satisfaction
Lower water use and lower sewage disposal costs
Safer more secure buildings
A building that teaches
Lower environmental impacts
These benefits are compelling for both students and taxpayers. Several studies
have shown that properly designed high performance schools, especially ones that
aggressively use natural day light, improve learning and test scores. The
Heschong Mahone Group has done a series of studies on this subject and these
reports are available for download at
www.h-m-g.com/Daylighting/main.htm.
Other demonstrated benefits include increased average attendance rates,
increased staff satisfaction. High performance schools can be hands-on
laboratory for ecological design and operation, helping to develop tomorrow
leaders.
High Performance schools save taxpayers money.
On average, operating costs are 30% lower while the school’s increased
durability lowers maintenance expense and future renovation costs. Decreased
water use and lower sewage disposable needs not only save money, but also may
prolong the life of the municipal water and sewage systems. High performance
schools have superior indoor environmental air quality and decreased toxins.
This helps avoid potential future liability from sick building syndrome.
While High Performance schools lower the school’s environmental impact through
thoughtful design and smart building practices, the benefits to the students and
the significant payback to the taxpayers are the compelling reasons all schools
in Connecticut should be built green