Reynolds School District is starting the school year with three new schools, built to offer outstanding energy efficiency and a more productive learning environment. Funded by a $125 million bond passed by local voters, the elementary schools – Fairview, Troutdale and Wilkes – are replacing older buildings and all share the same high-performance design.
The projects enrolled in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero early in the design process. Building designs are projected to be 60 percent more efficient than a standard school building of its type. Energy-efficient features include:
- LED interior and exterior lighting
- Advanced daylighting
- Natural ventilation and other passive energy strategies
- Variable refrigerant flow system with heat recovery
- High-efficiency water heating
- Solar-ready design
These efficient and passive energy strategies provide other advantages beyond saving energy and lowering operating costs. The natural daylighting and fresh air create a safer, healthier environment for students and staff. Teachers in the district are even planning on using the energy-efficiency benefits of the new schools as a teaching tool.