Amidst the global climate crisis, there is an international agenda to prioritise sustainability and accelerate the sustainable transformation of built environments. Recently, we have seen a growing interest in the sustainability declarations made by Australian education institutions, and the actions they are taking toward a sustainable future.
Initiatives such as investing in green buildings and prioritising sustainable campus design have become increasingly popular, with more schools and universities actively searching for and implementing solutions to reduce energy consumption in new and existing buildings.
Upgrading HVAC systems and incorporating active air purification are among the best ways for schools to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Here’s how our products can help:
- Lucidum® CUV systems actively disinfect and maintain commercial HVAC coils, increasing the product lifespan and reducing the energy consumption of those HVAC units by up to 60%.
- Airius fans can be used during transitional months to provide optimal airflow and thermal comfort inside classrooms and administration buildings – at 30 times less than the cost of air-conditioning.
- Airius fans can also work alongside, and relieve the demand on, existing air-conditioning systems, ensuring effective air circulation, improving energy efficiency and providing numerous cost-saving benefits.
Institutions investing in energy-saving initiatives will not only benefit from the financial savings of reduced energy consumption, but also from the opportunity to secure additional government funding because of these sustainable practices.
The environmental performance of schools and universities is directly linked to governmental grant allocation, as it helps governments to reach emission reduction goals.
As part of the 2022-23 Federal Budget, the Schools Upgrade Fund provided $270.8 million to support improvements to both government and non-government schools. Of this, $32 million is dedicated to improving existing learning facilities, including the purchase of air purifiers and upgrading ventilation systems.
The huge savings on utility bills combined with increased funding will allow schools to dedicate more resources toward enhancing the education experience for students, supporting their wellbeing and facilitating academic success.