GHPs in Schools - an EnergySmart Choice

In 1998, the U.S. Department of Energy launched the EnergySmart Schools program under its "Rebuild America" initiative, to help the nation's K-12 schools save energy and dollars through clean energy projects that provide a healthier and more productive learning environment, while also providing in-school projects that teachers can use to advance their students' understanding of fundamental energy concepts.

Consistent with the EnergySmart learning philosophy, the Geo4VA Web site is designed to give teachers and students educational materials that spark their interest in GHP systems and a downloadable screening tool that can be used to evaluate GHP project opportunities in their school division, while at the same time engaging students in real-world examples that apply basic math and science skills. The pond-based GHP system at the recently opened Fond du Lac High School in Wisconsin is an example of how teachers can lead the way in developing actual projects.

Our Web site also is directed toward school boards, division superintendents, school facility planners, and school business officials responsible for the specification and procurement decisions associated with renovating an existing school or building an addition or a new school construction project. We hope that the information presented here will be especially useful to school divisions that do not have architects or professional engineers on their administrative staffs.

This section of our Web site reviews the many advantages that GHP systems have for school buildings. It also provides a clickable state map that visitors can use to learn how GHP technology is already being used in Virginia schools and other institutional buildings.