Wilde Lake Middle School

Wilde Lake Middle School is Maryland’s 1st Net-Zero Energy School. Built as a replacement school , Wilde Lake Middle School is a forerunner in the state, creating bright and rewarding educational spaces for the students and staff while improving the environment by utilizing state-of-the-art Net Zero design strategies.

The building system efficiencies and on-site renewable energy sources have positioned Wilde Lake Middle School to be one of the most energy conscious and efficient school in the state.

Designed with an energy use index which reduced energy consumption by 80% from the existing school. The EUI of the existing building was approximately 66 kBTU/sf while the new net-zero energy replacement school used 13.8 kBTU/sf at its first year of performance, which was calculated in 2018.

The building has a built-in “Energy Kiosk” located in the main corridor, near the lobby, in the area zoned for public access of the energy dashboard during and after-hours use. The dashboard displays data using graphs, charts, and images in a user-friendly, educational format that is available remotely via any type of device for use by all students and staff to encourage sustainable literacy in all aspects of middle school curricula.

The strategies used to meet the zero energy goals: • Building Orientation and Massing – Reduced heating loads from compact rectangular footprint with long edge oriented 15 degrees off east-west axis

• Building Orientation and Massing – Reduced heating loads from compact rectangular footprint with long edge oriented 15 degrees off east-west axis

• Building Envelope – Exceeded thermal requirements for the design of the exterior walls with traditional masonry cavity construction

• Daylighting – Natural daylight features strategically located for maximum exposure to occupants and interior light dimmers provided to reduce energy consumption

• Electrical, Lighting, and Controls – Minimized lighting power density with careful selection of fixtures as well as occupancy sensors

• Mechanical Systems and Controls – Geothermal system

• Occupant Behavior and Plug Load Reduction – Receptacle controls, fewer data outlets, increased Wi-Fi usage

• Renewable Energy – Photovoltaic panels located on site