Wearing warm clothing in winter in schools reduces energy consumption by reducing the need for heating, lowering carbon footprint, and saving money on energy bills, creating a more comfortable and sustainable learning environment.

Learn why you should do this:

Wearing warm clothing in winter has been identified as a way to reduce room temperatures and save energy, leading to both environmental and financial benefits. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that reducing room temperature by just 1°C could reduce energy consumption by 3% (Fonseca, 2015).

The reduction of energy consumption can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which are the leading cause of global warming. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2013) highlights the need for reducing energy consumption in buildings, including schools, to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By reducing the room temperature in schools, emissions from heating and cooling systems can be reduced, contributing to a greener environment.

In addition to environmental benefits, reducing room temperature in schools also has financial benefits. The cost of heating and cooling schools is significant and can account for up to 40% of a school’s energy bill (Department of Energy, 2018). By reducing the room temperature and encouraging students and staff to wear warm clothing, schools can reduce their energy bills and free up resources for other initiatives.

Moreover, the benefits of reducing room temperature go beyond energy savings. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE, 2013) has recommended a temperature range of 20-25°C for indoor environments, including schools. This range has been found to be comfortable for the majority of people, while also reducing the risk of health problems associated with overheating or overcooling, such as respiratory problems and heat exhaustion.

The benefits of reducing room temperature in schools and encouraging students and staff to wear warm clothing are clear. The reductions in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs, as well as the improvements in health and comfort, demonstrate the importance of this approach in promoting sustainability and well-being in the educational environment.

References:

• ASHRAE. (2013). Thermal Comfort. Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
• Department of Energy. (2018). Energy Savers: Schools. Retrieved from https://www.energysavers.gov/tips/schools
• Fonseca, F. (2015). Building Energy Efficiency: From Fundamentals to Applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• IPCC. (2013). Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.