Richardsville Elementary School: Richardsville, KY

Achieving Net Zero

How would using today's LED technology change the classroom design of Richardsville (Ky.) Elementary, the nation's first net zero energy school? Hint: It would involve a lot more than changing out the lightbulbs. The hypothetical redesign of Richardsville, which opened in 2010, eliminates parts of the original daylighting design and involves architectural changes. The revised design also replaces the somewhat problematic lighting dimming control system with manual controls. The result: a building that would maintain net zero energy status and cost $90,000 less to build.