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Natural Ventilation
Energy Resources
Natural ventilation is by no means a new technique in architecture; rather it is a traditional technique that has been neglected since the arrival of cheap energy and air conditioning. Natural ventilation lowers cooling and ventilation costs, as well as providing a close connection with the outside environment. In addition, natural ventilation systems can help eliminate noise generated by fans potentially increasing acoustic comfort.
There are two main types of passive ventilation to aid in airflow: cross ventilation and stack ventilation. Cross ventilation techniques use high and low pressure zones created by wind to draw fresh air through a building. Stack ventilation uses high and low pressure zones created by rising heat, causing convection currents. This technique can be implemented by designing an exit vent that draws warm air out of the top of the building and a vent near the lower levels of the building to allow cool air to enter.
 
Alliance to Save Energy - Green Schools Program
http://www.ase.org/greenschools/newconstruction.htm
The Green Schools program is specifically geared toward school districts looking to make their existing buildings more efficient. The website offers helpful guidelines for starting a program. Also available through the website are free materials that include key learning concepts for green schools, an annotated bibliography of green schools instructional resources, curriculum materials, and information about ways to save energy in schools. The Alliance to Save Energy produces a green schools newsletter and organizes the "Earth Apple Awards" - prizes for schools that use energy efficiently.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Energy Star for Schools Program
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=k12_schools.bus_schoolsk12
The Energy Star for Schools program assists facilities decision-makers in improving their school's energy performance and labeling their buildings as Energy Star certified. Most of the information on the website applies to facilities in general, rather than to schools specifically.
U.S. Department of Energy - EnergySmart Schools
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/
EnergySmart Schools is a campaign of the Department of Energy and its Rebuild America program. EnergySmart Schools offers schools training workshops, publications, recognition, direct technical assistance, financing options, and a host of other resources toward making school facilities more energy efficient. Resources available on the website include step-by-step guidance for making schools more energy efficient, classroom materials and activities, and information about school buses.
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
http://www.chps.net/
(Best Practices Manual Volume 2, HVAC Section) CHPS aims to facilitate the design of high performance schools in California - environments that are not only resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit and contain the amenities needed for a quality education. CHPS has developed a set of Best Practices Manuals (available at www.CHPS.net) to create a new generation of high performance school facilities in California.
Santa Monica Green Building Design and Construction Guidelines
http://www.smgov.net/departments/ose/categories/buildGreen.aspx
The City of Santa Monica's recommended practices for maximizing natural ventilation.
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