The Hovatter Elementary School (ES-29) design has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” with a perfect score of 100.

Commercial new construction projects can be recognized with EPA’s Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR by achieving a score of 75 or higher, which indicates the building is intended to perform among the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR projects must meet strict energy efficiency design targets and are intended to create fewer greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy bills over the lifetime of the building.

The Architects/Engineers for Hovatter ES utilized envelope and energy modelling tools to achieve energy goals. The LCPS Design Team in the Division of Construction Services provided direction throughout the design process to ensure energy saving features met or exceeded the LCPS standards for efficient sustainable design.

Among the sustainable design features are a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array that will offset utility costs, additional windows that will increase natural daylighting and views to the outside, a high efficiency HVAC system with enhanced air filtration that will provide excellent indoor air quality, and LED lighting throughout the school that will provide high quality and flexible classroom lighting.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 80 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.