A review of energy efficiency studies in schools

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 4, 1837 - 1877, 29.12.2025

Derviş Altun , Ahmet Samancı

https://doi.org/10.58559/ijes.1756990

Öz

The fact that schools account for a significant share of energy consumption makes energy efficiency solutions in the public sector important. In particular, the impact of heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation systems on energy use makes energy efficiency solutions in educational buildings a necessity from both an economic and environmental perspective. This review synthesizes energy-efficiency interventions in school buildings (primary, secondary, and tertiary) by classifying the measures and reported outcomes between January 2007 and May 2025.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Energy efficiency , Energy efficiency in schools , Sustainability

Kaynakça

• [1] Koç A, Yağlı H, Koç Y, Uğurlu İ. General evaluation of the energy outlook in the world and Turkey. Engineer and Machinery 2018; 59: 86-114.
• [2] Yalkı İ, Köseoğlu NA. The state of the energy sector in the 100th year of the republic: a review of eu Turkey reports. Academic Sensitivities 2023; 10: 372-408.
• [3] İncekara Ç. Ö. Application of ISO 50001 energy management system in the industrial sector with fuzzy logic. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science and Engineering 2020; 20: 991-1013.
• [4] Đukanović L. et al. Energy refurbishment of serbian school building stock-a typology tool methodology development. Sustainability 2022; 14:4074.
• [5] Kaya TT, Çakmaklı AB. Climate change and built environment: examining sustainable development goals and net zero carbon buildings approach. İdealkent 2024; 16: 460-484.
• [6] Mıhlayanlar E, Meral S. Energy efficient renovation and epc application in existing buildings. Kırklareli University Journal of Engineering and Science 2023; 9: 478-497.
• [7] Özaydın E, Baz İ. Consideration of green building concept in urban transformation applications. Istanbul Commerce University Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences 2021; 3: 203-215.
• [8] Kallioğlu MA, Arca B. Z, Karakaya H, Durmuş A. Environmental and economic analysis of optimum heat insulation thickness in energy saving. European Journal of Technic 2016; 6: 160-169.
• [9] Ragab KM, Orhan MF, Saka K, Zurigat Y. A study and assessment of the status of energy efficiency and conservation at school buildings. Sustainability 2022; 14:10625.
• [10] Kaya R. Determination of optimum thermal design of an existing public building using ts 825 heat calculation method. Master'S Thesis, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, 2022.
• [11] Yücel N. Rooftop application of photovoltaic system with minimum design and operating cost: Denizli teknobil high school example. Master'S Thesis, Düzce University, 2018.
• [12] Küçük FN. Investigation of sustainable education buildings and in this context, improvement study for an existing high school building in iskenderun. Master'S Thesis, Maltepe University, 2016.
• [13] Ahmad A, Diez A. A Turkish chp case study; techno-economic, environmental and policy analysis. International Journal of Energy Applications and Technologies 2019; 6:73-82.
• [14] Kocabaş İ, Bademcioğlu M. Sustainability in education buildings. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences 2016; 8: 180-192.
• [15] Faria A, Alvarenga B, Lemos G, Viajante G, Domingos JL, Marra E. Energy efficiency and distributed generation: a case study applied in public institutions of higher education. Energies 2022; 15:1217.
• [16] Antunes LN, Ghisi E. Water and energy consumption in schools: case studies in Brazil. Environment, Development and Sustainability 2019; 22: 4225-4249.
• [17] Gençoğlu KG, Samancı A. A case study on increasing energy efficiency for buildings of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of Konya Technical University. Konya Journal of Engineering Sciences 2022; 10: 442-456.
• [18] Dilek M. Energy and exergy analyzes of a high school heating system. Master’s Thesis, Middle East Technical University, 2007.
• [19] Rosa MN, Sousa YM, Hora KER, Kopp K, Deus Junior GA. Environmental education and energy efficiency as strategies for reducing energy consumption in public school building in goiânia. Int. J. Of Alive Eng. Educ. (IJAEEdu) 2019; 6:13-32.
• [20] Sadowska B, Piotrowska-Woroniak J, Woroniak G, Sarosiek W. Energy and economic efficiency of the thermomodernization of an educational building and reduction of pollutant emissions-a case study. Energies 2022; 15:1-31.
• [21] Küçük AA, Sümengen Ö. Evaluation of the lighting energy performance of educational buildings with bep-tr methodology: the case of eru faculty of architecture. Iconarp International Journal of Architecture and Planning 2022; 10(2): 482-502.
• [22] Foster S. Improved thermal comfort for hawaii's elementary schools: designing an educational building for thermal comfort using passive design techniques in the hot and humid climate. PhD Thesis, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, 2021.
• [23] Portocarrero H, Parra N, Lúcar M, López A, Reyes J, Chauca M. Characterization of energy efficiency in lighting systems using solar panels by light self-regulation applied to higher education centers. Proceedings Of The 4Th South American International Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Conference, 2023.
• [24] Im P, Haberl JS. Analysis of the energy savings potential in k-5 schools in hot and humid climates: application of high-performance measures and renewable energy systems. Fourth National Conference of Ibpsa-Usa, New York, 2010.
• [25] Asere L, Blumberga A. Energy efficiency- indoor air quality dilemma in educational buildings: a possible solution. Environmental And Climate Technologies 2020; 24(1): 357-367.
• [26] Sharma N, Pandey B, Singhal A. Evaluation of thermal discomfort and non-refrigerant-based cooling methods as mitigation measures in indian school buildings. Proceedings of Energise 2023- Lifestyle, Energy Efficiency, And Climate Action, Goa, India, 2024. 163-170.
• [27] Dyussembekova N, Temirgaliyeva N, Umyshev D, Shavdinova M, Schuett R, Bektalieva D. Evaluation of energy efficiency measures' impact on energy performance in the educational building of Kazakh-German University in Almaty. Sustainability 2022; 14:9813.
• [28] Mohamad Munir ZH, Ahmad Ludin N, Junedi MM, Ahmad Affandi NA, Ibrahim MA, Mat Teridi MA. A rational plan of energy performance contracting in an educational building: a case study. Sustainability 2023; 15:1430.
• [29] Arslan HD. Evaluation of a school building in Turkey according to the basic sustainable design criteria. Iop Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2017.
• [30] Mahyudin NKB, Zaini ZH, Saleh MKM, Ahmad A. A study of electrical energy efficiency building. Jurnal Kejuruteraan dan Sains Kesihatan: Journal of Engineering and Health Sciences 2018; 2:9-18.
• [31] Turhan C, Bal Kocyigit F, Zinkci MA, Sayestηνoμ M. Feasibility of nearly-zero energy building retrofits by using renewable energy sources in an educational building. Journal of Scientific Perspectives 2019; 3(4): 311-318.
• [32] Hamida MB, Ahmed W, Asif M, Almaziad FA. Techno-economic assessment of energy retrofitting educational buildings: a case study in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability 2021; 13:179.
• [33] Volkov AN, Leonova AN, Karpanina EN, Gura DA. Energy performance and energy saving of life-support systems in educational institutions. Journal Of Fundamental and Applied Sciences 2017; 9: 931-944.
• [34] Kayıhan KS, Tönük S. A study of energy conservation policies at (primary) eco-schools in İstanbul. Energy And Environment Research 2013; 3:7-20.
• [35] Evangelista AA, Fernandes Neto TR. Energy savings with building automation through the en15232 standard. Ieee Latin American Transactions 2016; 3655-3662.
• [36] Roslizar A, Alghoul MA, Bakhtyar B, Asim N, Sopian K. Annual energy usage reduction and cost savings of a school: end-use energy analysis. The Scientific World Journal 2014: 310539.
• [37] Cabovská B, Teli D, Dalenbäck JO, Langer S, Ekberg L. A study on the relationship between energy performance and ieq parameters in school buildings. E3S Web of Conferences 2021; 246:01006.
• [38] Tagliabue LC, Mainini AG, Re Cecconi F, Maltese S, De Angelis E, Zani A. Thermal and economic efficiency of progressive retrofit strategies for school buildings by a statistical analysis-based tool. Proceedings Of Building Simulation 2017: 15Th Conference of Ibpsa, 2017; 1997-2004.
• [39] Sánchez-Torija JG, Gómez-Rubiera EL, Frutos CB. The incorporation of the study into water consumption in energy audits in schools. Revista de la Construcción 2017; 16: 361-373.
• [40] Asdrubali F, Venanzi D, Evangelisti L, Guattari C, Grazieschi G, Matteucci P, Roncone M. An evaluation of the environmental payback times and economic convenience in an energy requalification of a school. Buildings 2021; 11:12.
• [41] Kerem A. Assessing the electricity energy efficiency of university campus exterior lighting system and proposing energy-saving strategies for carbon emission reduction. Microsystem Technologies 2022; 28: 2623-2640.
• [42] Heracleous C, et al. Energy retrofit of public educational buildings and sustainable mobility: case study in crete. Iop Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2023; 1196:12033.
• [43] Congedo PM, D'Agostino D, Baglivo C, Tornese G, Zacà I. Efficient solutions and cost-optimal analysis for existing school buildings. Energies 2016; 9:851.
• [44] Pasunuru R, Hâkim H, Sakhalkar A, Kibert CJ, Srinivasan R. Toward net zero energy schools- a case study approach. Proceedings Of The 2014 Winter Simulation Conference, Florida, Us, 2014.
• [45] Rosli MAH, Rahman M, Kamaruzaman N. Energy efficiency in academic buildings through optimization and operational strategies. Jurnal Mekanikal 2018; 41:9-15.
• [46] Çiftçi S, Solak M, Kuncan M. Powered by the sun: designing and analyzing technical and economic aspects of a school sustained by photovoltaics. Journal Of Mechanical and Applied Industry 2020; 21-32.
• [47] Dubey A, Kamal MA. Assessment of energy efficiency in a school building with reference to grıha-prakrit rating system. Civil Engineering and Architecture 2022; 10(4): 1687-1700.
• [48] Ghafari HA, Karbassi A, Rajabi AA. Green schools based on environmental, health, safety and energy strategy. Environmental Energy and Economic Research 2017; 1(2): 239-248.
• [49] Koçyiğit FB. Zero consumption monotype education buildings. Gu J Sci 2018; 31(2): 328-340.
• [50] Nur YA, Yoon G, Sato T. Energy savings for a junior high school classroom that actively uses daylighting and sensitivity study on the effect of the building envelope thermal performance. Japan Architectural Review 2022; 5(4): 609-620.
• [51] Vagi F, Dimoudi A. Analyzing the energy performance of secondary schools in n. Greece. World Renewable Energy Congress 2011; 1837-1844. LinköPing, Sweden.
• [52] Aksin FN, Arslan S. Energy performance optimization of school buildings in different climates of Turkey. Future Cities and Environment 2021; 7(1): 7.1-11.
• [53] Kang JE, Ahn KU, Park CS, Schuetze T. A case study on passive vs. active strategies for an energy-efficient school building design. 8Th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism, Republic of Korea, 2015.
• [54] Fakhoury OM S, Aldalou G, Almasri G. Energy auditing and conservation for educational buildings: a case study on princess sumaya university for technology. Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability 2022; 6: 901-920.
• [55] Gölemen S, Taş N, Taş M. The changes of sustainable primary school buildings. 6 International Conference on Harmonization Between Architecture and Nature (Arc 2016), Alicante, Spain, 2016.
• [56] Rüşen SE, Topçu MA, Celep GK, Çeltek SA, Rüşen A. Energy audit for university campus buildings: a case study. Cukurova University Journal of Engineering and Architecture Faculty 2018; 33(2): 83-92.
• [57] Hu M. Cost-effective options for the renovation of an existing education building toward the nearly net-zero energy goal life-cycle cost analysis. Sustainability 2019; 11(8), 2444.
• [58] Munaro MR, John VM. Energy efficiency in the higher education institutions: a review of actions and their contribution to sustainable development. 4Th International Conference "Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and Resilience" & Midterm Conference of Circularb “Implementation of Circular Economy in the Built Environment” (Cesare 2024), Timișoara, Romania, 2024.
• [59] Yıldız Y, Koçyiğit M. Energy consumption analysis of educational buildings: the case study of Balikesir university. Gu J Sci 2021; 34(3): 665-677.
• [60] Diaz M, Gonzalez-Caceres A, Attia S. Multicriteria design: optimizing thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort and indoor air quality in classrooms. Springer Nature, Switzerland, 2023.
• [61] Ulusan NG, Fitöz İ. Energy efficient lighting in educational buildings: İstanbul kagıthane anatolian high school example. Design + Theory Journal, 13(24), 138-147.
• [62] Brogan M, Galata A. The veryschool project: valuable energy for a smart school-intelligent iso 50001 energy management decision making in school buildings. Vienna, Austria, 2014.
• [63] Akyıldız HH. Application of efficient and effective use of energy in an educational institution. Master'S Thesis, Kütahya Dumlupınar University, 2022.
• [64] Supansomboon S. Classroom façade design for daylighting in a tropical hot-humid climate. Master'S Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2019.
• [65] Ekinci E. Environmentally sustainable designs in smart buildings: increasing energy efficiency in a school example. Master’s Thesis, Hasan Kalyoncu University, 2025.
• [66] Yıldırım A. Establishment of iso 50001 energy management system in public institutions: the example of Selçuk University. Master’s Thesis, Necmettin Erbakan University, 2022.
• [67] Bilgic E. Investigation of heat losses in underground pipes of district heating systems to be built in university campuses. Master’s Thesis, Balıkesir University, 2024.
• [68] Moazzen FN. An approach for cost optimum energy efficient retrofit of primary school buildings in turkey. Master’s Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, 2015.
• [69] Çabuk Ş. Passive and active building systems that capture the sun. International Journal of Social and Humanities Sciences Research 2024; 11: 1418-1440.
• [70] Özdem S. Evaluation of some educational buildings in gaziantep within the scope of 'energy performance regulations in buildings'. Master’s Thesis, Cukurova University, 2015.
• [71] Zahiri S, Altan H. Improving energy efficiency of school buildings during winter season using passive design strategies. Sustainable Buildings 2020; 5:1-14.
• [72] Abusamhadana MSG. Energy improvement strategies in the context of user thermal comfort requirements in existing school buildings: a study on the example of İzmit ulugazi primary school. Master’s Thesis, Kocaeli University, 2017.
• [73] Gjoka K. Assessing the energy efficiency of different construction materials in educational buildings: a case study from albanian practice. Master’s Thesis, Epoka University, 2023.
• [74] Keskinel Y. Performance of movable façade panels in terms of dynamic daylight metrics for a classroom. Master’s Thesis, Izmir Institute of Technology, 2020.
• [75] Djalilova L. Analysis of educational buildings in the context of sustainability in Uzbekistan: the example of tashkent 198th school. Master’s Thesis, Bursa Uludag University, 2019.
• [76] Ikhsan M, Saputra M. Audit energi sebagai upaya process efisiensi pemakaian energi listrik di campus universitas teuku umar (utu) meulaboh. Journal Mekanova 2016; 2: 141-146.
• [77] Almeida RMMC. A ventilação eo RSECE nas escolas: estudo de impacto energético e estratégias de mitigação. Relatório do Projecto Final, Faculdade De Engenharia Da Universidade Do Porto, 2008.
• [78] Kasim M. Energy efficiency and renewable energy utilisation opportunities for public schools in indonesia: a case study of baiturrahman boarding school in west java. Master’s Thesis, Murdoch University, 2014.
• [79] Elkhalaf M. Toward energy efficiency in schools: the case of qatar. Master’s Thesis, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 2024.
• [80] Qannan MA. The utilization of green energy in gaza-strip schools for improved IEQ. Master’s Thesis, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 2016.
• [81] Gülseker E. Evaluation of basic education buildings in the leed certification system: konya example. Master’s Thesis, Necmettin Erbakan University, 2018.
• [82] Canlı S. Performance evaluation and improvement of a primary school building according to passive school criteria. Master’s Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, 2019.
• [83] Pandya C, et al. Sustainable energy efficient green campuses: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Iop Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 2022.
• [84] Köksal T. Evaluation of the performance of a primary school building as an active and passive system in terms of energy efficiency. Master’s Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, 2018.
• [85] Kumas A. Investigation of the use of absorption heat pump in school heating. Master’s Thesis, Gazi University, 2022.
• [86] Barradas SC. Path to a green campus- analysis and proposals for energy sustainability at iseg. Master’s Thesis, Universidade De Lisboa, 2024.
• [87] Buratti C, Belloni E, Merli F, Mastoori M, Sharifi SN, Pignatta G. Evaluating the impact of shading devices, glazing systems, and building orientation on the energy consumption in educational spaces. Environ. Sci. Proc. 2021; 12(1):22.
• [88] Celik K. A holistic approach for sustainable lighting design in educational buildings. PhD Thesis, YıLdıZ Technical University, 2018.
• [89] Son J. Impact of biomimetic window system on building energy consumption and occupants' perception in the educational environment. PhD Thesis, Michigan State University, 2020.
• [90] Pereira LMD. Modernized portuguese schools- from iaq and thermal comfort toward energy efficiency plans. PhD Thesis, University of Coimbra, 2016.
• [91] Zeybek Ö. An approach to utilizing solar energy with passive systems in educational buildings. PhD Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, 2024.
• [92] Amankwaa F. E, Mensah P, Roberts M.B, Gough V.K. Impact of roofing materials on school temperatures in tropical Africa. Buildings And Cities 2025; 6(1): 139-157.
• [93] Liang EZ, Hellum B, Melle CF, Spoletini A, Langeteig HS. Breeam excellent and zero-emission educational building: a case study on energy performance and indoor climate evaluation. Proceedings Of the Ntzr 2024 Conference; Norway, 2025.