Hobson & Porter, Innovation based on tradition

Hull City Council is leading by example, looking for new and innovative ways to reduce its carbon emissions, as part of the city's climate change strategy. Hull in print finds out how one new school building in the city is a class act for energy saving measures...

The all new Maybury Primary School is a school with a difference. Not only is it three times more energy efficient than the old school building it replaces, but it has a range of special features making it one of the most environmentally-friendly schools in the city.

"It's a terrific new building to work in, a huge improvement on what we had before, and all the pupils, parents, and teachers I have spoken to are chuffed to bits with it," says head teacher Claire Patton.

"The children are aware of the need to protect the environment, and it's pleasing to know that on a daily basis we are saving energy which, in our own small way, is doing something positive on the issue of climate change." While saving energy is good for the environment, it also makes sound financial sense. The school is expected to save 80 per cent on electricity bills this year, 65 per cent on water charges and 50 per cent on gas bills. Here's some of the school's energy saving features:

* The building's walls, floors, windows and roof are insulated to the highest standards.

* A 5,000-metre network of water pipes - buried one metre below ground - draws in ground heat of 12 degrees centigrade.

The pipes carry the water back into the school where two heating pumps raise the temperature to 35 degrees centigrade to power the school's under-floor heating system.

* Rainwater harvesters collect and store rainwater as a supply for flushing the toilets which reduces the need to draw water from the mains supply.

* Lights are controlled by movement sensors and automatically switch-off when rooms are empty.

* Vegetable growing beds have been created in the playground where children can grow fresh vegetables to have with their school meals.

* The building temperature is thermostatically controlled, and has its own ventilation system to draw in fresh air and draw out stale air to maintain high air quality.

Claire Patton, head teacher of Maybury Primary School, is pictured in the school's ICT suite. At ceiling level can be seen an atrium which runs the length of the school and saves energy by letting in plenty of natural light. Pupils are taught to recycle food waste for composting.

Article courtesy of Hull in print, the council's magazine for residents