This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ACHRNews logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHRNews logo
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Edition
    • Archives
    • The NEWS eNewsletter
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Newsline
    • FYI
    • Distribution Trends
    • Standards & Legislation
    • Manufacturer Reports
  • Products
    • HVACR Industry Store
    • Top 20 Products of 2018
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • AHR 2019 Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographic
    • Photo Galleries
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
    • The NEWS HVACR Quiz
    • Online Poll
  • Refrigeration
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Reclaim
    • FROSTlines
  • Service
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Duct Dynasty
    • Service 101
    • Components & Accessories
  • Business 101
    • Training & Education
    • Service, Apps & Software
    • Opinions
    • Guest Column
    • The Coach's Blog
  • Residential
    • Home Automation
    • Residential Ductless
    • Residential Geothermal
    • Residential IAQ
    • Residential Cooling Showcase
    • Residential Heating Showcase
  • Commercial
    • Internet of Things
    • Commercial Ductless
    • Commercial Geothermal
    • Commercial IAQ
    • Commercial Cooling Showcase
    • Commercial Heating Showcase
    • Marijuana Market
  • Directory
    • Manufacturers
    • Wholesalers
    • Consultants/Services
    • Manufacturers Reps
    • Associations
    • Parts & Equipment Exporters
    • List/Update Your Company
  • More
    • Editorial Calendar & Editor Assignments
    • Calendar of Events
    • Classifieds
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProduct Info
    • White Papers
    • Contests
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit a Letter
Home » Controls Help Put Middle School in LEED

Controls Help Put Middle School in LEED

March 27, 2006
Reprints
No Comments
Twenhofel’s overall energy consumption for the 111,000-square-foot building is expected to be at least 30 percent less than a comparably-sized conventional school building, thanks to the use of sustainable geothermal energy sources for 100 percent of the school’s HVAC needs.
INDEPENDENCE, Ky. - The first thing students attending the new Twenhofel Middle School do when they arrive at school each day is watch TV. But the programming broadcast on the 42-inch plasma screen TV at the school's main entrance lobby isn't the usual teenage fare.

Instead, students eagerly interact with a touch screen menu to call up "vital signs" screens to see which grade is winning the ongoing monthly energy conservation contest. Or, they might monitor the effects the previous night's rainfall had on replenishing the school's rainwater collection system. Or, they might call up a vital signs screen that shows the dollar savings in energy and the pounds of power plant CO2 emissions that the school has saved through its innovative daylighting and solar PV systems.

Then, throughout the rest of the day, the students continuously refer to vital signs screens as they relate to the curriculum being taught in each class. In science, for example, they might use a "daylighting" screen to learn how the angle of the sun changes throughout the course of the year. In math, students can interact with vital signs to calculate how a 1-inch rainfall equates to hundreds of gallons of water harvested from the building's roof for low-flow toilets, urinals, and other "grey water" uses.

"Twenhofel is unique in that the building itself has been designed to serve as a teaching tool, where students can see how a building functions and the enormous effect they have as occupants on its performance," said Robert Lape, facilities director for the Kenton County schools system, one of the largest in Kentucky.

"We call it a high-performance school, where students can excel through an enhanced environment - while at the same time reducing the total energy and lifecycle costs to the school district."

CHECKING THE VITALS

The vital signs capability is just one of the school's many features designed to earn rating points with the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC's) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.

In the case of Twenhofel, the building has been designed to earn anywhere from 33 to 38 points on the LEED certification scale, ultimately qualifying the school as Kentucky's first LEED Silver certified school.

Innovative Energy Solutions (IES), of Hamilton, Ohio, was selected as the systems integrator for the project, responsible for designing and integrating the school's advanced Invensys I/A Series® energy management and control system, and for the cre-ation of the vital signs screens.

"With the features of the I/A Series system, we're able to precisely monitor, control, and measure the effects and benefits of all the unique systems incorporated into this project," said John Brofft, vice president, sales manager for IES.

As an example, the daylighting system in each classroom uses photocells, which measure the light in foot-candle levels and then activate artificial lighting only when natural light isn't sufficient, he explained.

According to Brofft, several photocells communicate over a LonWorks network to the Invensys control system, while Modbus power monitors throughout the building measure the building's electrical usage to validate the effects of the daylighting system.

The architects (Robert E. Hayes & Assoc.) designed the building with a north/south exposure, and equipped it with daylighting baffles, to allow the optimum level of natural light into classrooms through clerestory windows, such that upwards of 70 percent of the annual required light is provided naturally, said Brofft. This combination of innovative design and precise control typifies the school, and will ultimately result in significant energy savings, he said.

TV monitors, with touch pad overlay device, serve as important interactive teaching tools. These monitors allow students to interact with a series of Vital Sign screens, which depict all the school’s various energy-efficient systems.

100 PERCENT SUSTAINABLE

In fact, overall energy consumption for the 111,000-square-foot building is expected to be at least 30 percent less than a comparably sized conventional school building, thanks to the use of sustainable geothermal energy sources for 100 percent of the school's HVAC needs.

According to Brofft, there is also innovative heat recovery systems designed to minimize the heat that is normally lost from outside air-handling units. The geothermal field, consisting of miles of tubing and thousands of gallons of water for heat rejection and reclaim, is located some 300 feet below the surface of the sports stadium.

"The use of a geothermal heat pump system to transfer heat to and from the school marks a radical departure from conventional blowers and chiller units, allowing us to achieve considerable energy savings and also better control IAQ, which is a big LEED emphasis," said Tony Hans, design engineer for CMTA Engineering Consultants (Louisville, Ky.), the firm that designed the geothermal system.

"Twenhofel is a shining example of how innovative building design and energy management systems can work together to enhance student and teacher performance," concluded Dr. Susan Cook, superintendent of Kenton County Schools.

Publication date: 03/27/2006

Subscribe to The NEWS

Related Articles

Rooftop Retrofits Put HVAC Contractors in Control

Smart Controls Put Homeowners and Contractors in Charge

Controls Puts Contractors in Charge

ClimateMaster Helps Educational Institution Attain LEED Certification

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Create Account
  • Change My Address
  • Pay My Bill
  • Free eNewsletters
  • About News Network
  • Customer Care

More Videos

Sponsored Content What Is Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ACHR News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep.

Close
Trane-indoor-air-quality-product-01
Sponsored By
Trane Residential

Protecting Your Customers’ Indoor Air Quality Is More Important Than Ever

From seasonal maintenance to a system upgrade, your business is actually centered around providing the best indoor air experience, with quality at the core.

Popular Stories

Breaking News - The ACHR News

Ingersoll Rand Increases Prices on HVAC products

R-22 Phaseout

Using (or Abusing) the R-22 Phaseout as a Sales Tool

Senate HFC Phasedown Bill

Senate HFC Phasedown Plan Debuts With Broad Support

Breaking News - The ACHR News

Lennox Industries Inc. Announces Price Increase

Goodman employees work to manufacture highend equipment.

The HVAC Contractor’s Guide to High-End Trends Coming in 2020

The ACHR News Airpod Giveaway

Events

September 16, 2020

2020 World Congress for Solar Cooling

IASC seeks submissions that represent the best contemporary and innovative technology and thinking about Solar Cooling from a global and diverse range of designers, consultants, practitioners, engineers, architects, educators, thought-leaders, students and other professionals concerned with cooling, people, buildings and energy.
December 30, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Holiday Appreciation

What is your preferred way to show employees your appreciation during the holiday season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

"More & New" HVAC Spells Wealth - book

"More & New" HVAC Spells Wealth - book

See More Products
The NEWS - ACHR - Logo The NEWS - ACHR - Digital Edition
Digital Edition

ACHRNEWS

The ACHR News - December 2, 2019

2019 December 2

Week 1: December 2
In this issue of The ACHR NEWS, we look at unique applications of HVAC technology, and new markets contractors should consider expanding into.

Week 2: December 9
We also examine Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, and the benefits that contractors can pass along to their customers through the equipment.

View More Subscribe
  • Resources
    • Submit a Letter
    • Submit a Press Release
    • Mechanical Group
    • List Rental
    • Ad Specs
    • Reprints
    • eProduct Info
    • Survey And Sample
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More?
    • Subscribe
    • Connect
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Renew
    • Create Account
    • Change Address
    • Pay My Bill
    • Free eNewsletters
    • Customer Care

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing