In This Podcast:

Chris Tyler, CEO, Thermal Equipment Sales, and Green Schools chair and board chairman of the Kentucky U.S. Green Building Council (KY USGBC), discusses the nationwide energy-efficiency epidemic within public school facilities and shares how contractors can help these institutions save energy and money.

Q: Is it true that Kentucky boasts the first ever net-zero school?

A: Yes, Kentucky had the first public K-12 school in Richardsville, which was designed a few years ago and has been in operation for a couple of years. We’ve also opened a few other net-zero schools including TurkeyFoot [Middle School] in Kenton County and Locust Trace in Fayette County, in Lexington. We’ve not only started the idea here, but have continued the trend with quite a few additional net-zero schools over the last few years.

Q: What are some of the deficiencies in schools across the country?

A: One of the places where people are wasting a lot of energy that could be addressed — with a little bit of time — is an awareness [of energy use] at the occupant behavioral level. People who are in the schools don’t realize what their actions — or lack thereof — do to impact the school. They need to take the time to understand that if doors are left open as students arrive and leave for 30 minutes at a time … a considerable amount of energy and conditioned air is being wasted, especially if it is hot or cold outside.

Chris Tyler
CEO of Thermal Equipment Sales
www.thermaleq.com

Interested in hearing the remainder of the conversation? Visit The NEWS’ podcast page.

Publication date: 8/26/2013

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