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In the dynamic landscape of education, where every detail counts toward student success, one often overlooked factor is the quality of the air students breathe within school premises. Enter energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), an innovative solution heralding a new era of enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ) in K-12 classrooms. In this blog post, we explore the cognitive benefits of increased ventilation facilitated by energy-efficient ERVs and their potential to revolutionize learning environments.
Before going further, take a look at our previous blog post on the health benefits provided by ERVs in K-12 schools. It examines how educational facilities are particularly vulnerable to deficient IAQ. Consequently, the health, cognitive function and wellbeing of students and staff alike can be negatively affected. However, with increased ventilation via ERVs, healthier classrooms, healthier minds, and a healthier planet are possible. Now, let’s examine the healthier minds aspect.
Strengthened Cognitive Function Studies have shown that increased ventilation can significantly bolster cognitive function among students. Indeed, a Harvard study found that when compared to an indoor environment with deficient IAQ, cognitive scores were 61% higher in a simulated green-building environment. What’s more, scores were 101% higher in a simulated green-building environment coupled with doubling the outdoor-air ventilation rate from 20 CFM per person to 40 CFM per person. This underscores the pivotal role increased ventilation plays in optimizing mental acuity and cognitive performance, crucial elements for academic success.
Improved Test Scores Research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also supports the correlation between higher ventilation rates and academic performance. In fact, a study by the EPA found that students in classrooms with higher outdoor-air ventilation rates scored 14-15% better on standardized tests compared to their counterparts in poorly ventilated environments. Such findings demonstrate the transformative impact of increased ventilation in elevating educational outcomes and leveling the playing field for all students, regardless of environmental disparities.
Reduced Absenteeism In addition to bolstering cognitive function and academic performance, increased ventilation can help to mitigate absenteeism among students. The EPA determined that raising classroom outdoor-air ventilation rates can reduce absenteeism by approximately five to 10 absences per 1,000 students. This corresponds with a 1,000 ppm decrease in the difference between indoor and outdoor CO2 levels. Not only does this foster a healthier learning environment but it also ensures consistent student engagement and participation.
Support Healthier Minds Energy-Efficiently via RenewAire ERVs Increased and balanced ventilation is the best way to enhance IAQ in any type of building. With enough fresh and filtered outdoor air coming in to replace stale indoor air via balanced ventilation, IAQ is enhanced. However, increasing ventilation rates in schools can also lead to higher energy consumption and costs. Thus, how can IAQ be enhanced while also optimizing energy efficiency and cost savings?
The best way to provide cleaner and healthier indoor air is via energy recovery ventilation, which enhances IAQ while maximizing sustainability. RenewAire ERVs reuse otherwise-wasted energy to condition the incoming outdoor air. This process enables users to lower energy use, decrease HVAC equipment and see a drop in their overall energy costs by up to 65%. As a result, the EPA states that “ERVs provide excellent opportunities for saving energy, controlling humidity and providing sufficient outside air to promote IAQ.”
Furthermore, RenewAire ERVs are designed for durability and reliability, ensuring long-term performance with minimal maintenance requirements for K-12 schools. This combination of efficiency, sustainability and reliability makes RenewAire ERVs the optimal choice for enhancing IAQ and supporting healthier minds in K-12 schools.
In Summary In conclusion, as we navigate the complexities of education, it becomes increasingly evident that ensuring the quality of the air students breathe is paramount to their success and wellbeing. By harnessing the power of increased ventilation facilitated by ERVs, K-12 schools can not only strengthen cognitive function, improve test scores and reduce absenteeism but also promote a healthier learning environment for all.
Moreover, with the added benefits of energy efficiency and sustainability provided by RenewAire ERVs, schools can effectively optimize IAQ while minimizing operational costs and environmental impact. In essence, by investing in ERVs, schools are investing in the future of education, ensuring that students have the best possible environment to thrive academically and beyond.
For further reading on the transformative potential of ERVs in educational settings, refer to the RenewAire white paper: Deficient Indoor Air Quality: A Serious Threat to Schools.
