Daylighting in schools: Energy costs reduced, student performance improved
- Innovative Design, Raleigh, NC (United States)
Ordinarily, architectural-engineering firms are only indirectly concerned with psychological and physical benefits to the occupants of the buildings they design. However, a firm in North Carolina, Innovative Design, is not ordinary. Their use of daylighting in schools yields considerable economic benefits: energy costs reduced up to 64%, cooling and electrical equipment costs reduced, long-term mechanical and lighting equipment maintenance costs reduced. But equally impressive are the benefits of daylighting on student performance. Students in schools using daylighting have higher achievement scores in reading and math tests. Further, as shown in a related study, because of additional vitamin D received by students via daylighting, they will have less dental decay--and grow taller. In the two performance reports which follow, authors Nicklas and Bailey analyze specific win-win benefits of daylighting. Their findings are startling.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 541197
- Journal Information:
- Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment, Journal Name: Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 17; ISSN 1048-5236; ISSN SEENEJ
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Daylighting in schools: Improving student performance and health at a price schools can afford: Preprint
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