Public schools are one of the largest consumers of energy, and the cost of energy continues to increase every year. Therefore, it is essential for public schools to implement measures that can help reduce energy consumption and save money in the long run. One effective solution is the installation of roll shutters on all the windows of a school building. In this blog, we will discuss why roll shutters provide energy savings for public schools and how much they can save by installing them on all their windows.
Roll shutters provide energy savings by reducing the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building through the windows. According to a national research council of Canada 2009 study, Rollshutters can reduce the windows U-factor by up to 40% and daily energy use of air conditioning units by about 45% compared to buildings without Rollshutters.
During the summer months, the sun’s heat can enter a building through the windows, causing the interior temperature to rise. This can increase the need for air conditioning, which consumes a lot of energy. By installing roll shutters, the amount of heat entering the building can be reduced, which will decrease the need for air conditioning and, therefore, lower energy consumption.
Similarly, during the winter months, heat can escape from a building through the windows, causing the interior temperature to drop. This can increase the need for heating, which also consumes a lot of energy.
By installing roll shutters, the amount of heat escaping through the windows can be reduced, which will decrease the need for heating and, therefore, lower energy consumption.
The energy savings provided by roll shutters can be significant, especially for public schools that have many windows. The exact amount of savings will depend on various factors such as the size and number of windows, the location of the school, and the type of roll shutters installed.
To illustrate the potential energy savings:
Let’s assume we are working with a school that has 50 windows, each with an average size of 1000 sq cm. The school is located in Toronto, Canada, and the average annual energy usage for heating and air conditioning is 60,000 kWh. We’ll also assume that the shutters will reduce energy usage for heating and air conditioning by 20%.
To begin, we need to establish a baseline for energy usage and costs without the installation of aluminum roll shutters. Based on current energy costs and assuming a 2% annual increase, the school spends approximately $15,000 per year on heating and air conditioning. However, public schools also incur costs from vandalism to windows and break-ins, insurance claims, and loss of property. Let’s assume that, on average, the school incurs an additional $5,000 per year in these costs related to windows.
Now, let’s assume the school installs aluminum roll shutters on all 50 windows. However, they will also reduce energy usage for heating and air conditioning by 20%. Let’s assume a 2% annual increase in energy costs and that the shutters have a lifespan of 20 years.
Using this information, we can create the following energy savings table:
| Year | Energy Usage (kWh) | Energy Cost ($) | Energy Savings (kWh) | Energy Savings ($) | Vandalism Costs ($) | Cumulative Energy Savings (kWh) | Cumulative Energy Savings ($) | Cumulative Vandalism Costs ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60,000 | 15,000 | 12,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 | |
| 2 | 60,000 | 15,300 | 12,000 | 3,060 | 4,800 | 24,000 | 6,060 | 9,800 | |
| 3 | 60,000 | 15,606 | 12,000 | 3,121 | 4,600 | 36,000 | 9,181 | 14,400 | |
| 4 | 60,000 | 15,918 | 12,000 | 3,184 | 4,400 | 48,000 | 12,365 | 18,800 | |
| 5 | 60,000 | 16,235 | 12,000 | 3,247 | 4,200 | 60,000 | 15,612 | 23,000 |
In this table, the vandalism costs column represents the additional costs that the school incurs related to windows.
In conclusion, roll shutters provide energy savings for public schools by reducing the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building through the windows. The energy savings can be significant, especially for schools with many windows. By installing roll shutters, schools can save money in the long run and use those savings to fund other important projects. If you are a school administrator or decision-maker, we highly recommend considering roll shutters as a cost-effective solution to reduce energy consumption and save money.
