Bucher Elementary School, 450 Candlewyck Rd. in Manheim Township, is planning a major renovation in order to bring the school up to a LEED Silver Rating.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a non-profit organization which developed the rating system to encourage environmentally responsible, energy efficient, healthy living and work places.
LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council, made up of influential members of the United States building industry.
Among the improvements planned for Bucher will be a white roof to reduce heat absorption into the building, which will reduce air conditioning power use. A geothermal heat pump system, similar to the one recently installed in the Manheim Township High School, will not only incease efficiency by utilizing heat energy from the ground, but will also eliminate the need for oil.
Gray water will be recycled through the use of underground cisterns. The gray water will be filtered and reused for flushing toilets and urinals, reducing the need for fresh water. More natural light will be let in so as to minimize artificial lighting requirements.
This fall the project will start in the new portion of the building. When the new portion is completed in 2010, improvements will commence on the existing part of the school.
Manheim Township has been a leader in green innovations to conserve energy and improve efficiency.
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