Southern Suburbs BM; Tuesday, 7th February 2012; Gymea NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

PIP Maintenance of Accreditation - Castle Hill; Monday, 13th February 2012; 4:30-6:30 pm read more

Hunter Valley BM; Monday, 13th February 2012; New Lambton NSW; 5:00 pm. read more

Northern Suburbs BM; Monday, 13th February 2012; Cammeray NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

Central Metropolitan BM; Tuesday, 14th February 2012; Burwood NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

PIP Cyber Savvy - Dee Why; Wednesday 15 February 2012; 4:30-6:30 pm read more

South Coast BM; Wednesday, 15th February 2012; Woonona NSW; 6:45 pm. read more

Penrith Blue Mountains BM; Wednesday, 15th February 2012; Penrith NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

Metropolitan East BM; Wednesday, 15th February 2012; Randwick NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

Central Coast BM; Thursday, 16th February 2012; Gosford NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

IEU Reps Training Day - Tamworth; Friday 17 February 2012; 9:15-3:15pm read more

Mid North Coast BM; Friday, 17th February 2012; Nambucca Heads NSW; 6:00 pm. read more

South East Branch Meeting; Friday, 17th February 2012; Griffith NSW; 6:00 pm. read more

Riverina BM; Friday, 17th February 2012; Wagga Wagga NSW; 7:30 pm. read more

North West Branch Meeting; Friday, 17th February 2012; Tamworth NSW; 5:30 pm. read more

Principals BM; Saturday, 18th February 2012; IEU Office Parramatta; 10:00 am. read more

Cumberland BM; Monday, 20th February 2012; IEU Office Parramatta; 4:30 pm. read more

PIP Maintenance of Accreditation - Sydney City; Monday 20 February 2012; 4.30 - 6.30pm read more

Ku-ring-gai BM; Thursday, 21st February 2012; Hornsby NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

IEU Reps Training Day - Orange, Friday 24 Feb 2012; 9.15 to 3.15 read more

North Coast BM; Wednesday, 22nd February 2012; IEU Office Lismore; 5:00 pm. read more

PIP Maintenance of Accreditation - Revesby Heights; Wednesday 22 February 2012; 4:30-6:30pm read more

Monaro BM; Thursday, 23rd February 2012; Barton ACT; 4:15 pm. read more

Lansdowne BM; Thursday, 23rd February 2012; Fairfield NSW; 4:30 pm. read more

Central Western BM; Friday, 24th February 2012; Orange NSW; 7:30 pm. read more

PIP Maintenance of Accreditation - Forbes; Monday 27 February 2012; 4.30-6.30 read more

Out With The Unflued, In With The New

While NSW politicians, parents and teachers were wrangling about unflued gas heaters in classrooms, a Yass school was taking positive action.

IEU Journalist Suzanne KOWALSKI-ROTH asked Mt Carmel School Principal, Ignatius Stormon, what moved him to replace unflued heating at the K-12 central school.

“I’ve always been concerned about them and they are rarely properly used in schools,” he says. “You’re supposed to have windows opened around them but often in a classroom that doesn’t happen.”

Having a naked flame pilot light and the potential problem of leaking gas also concerned him as well as the ‘student factor’ - the ability of some students to do not very sensible things like stuffing wads of paper behind heaters.

Stormon also admits to a selfish motive. The competition for students from Canberra schools is fierce and putting in units that can cool and heat will, he hopes, make his school more attractive.

The school community worked together to get the unflued gas heaters out and with some innovative fundraising ideas from the P&C and great support from a local air conditioning sales company (who allowed the school to stagger payments), the school has been able to get almost all the heaters out — there are three practical areas still with unflued gas heating which will eventually be replaced, says Mr Stormon.

Solar connection

But this school community went one step further than simply replacing the heaters. Mindful of the greenhouse gas impact of their school, it will soon run a 10 kilowatt solar system to boost energy production. The system has been paid for by grants from the Solar Schools Program and the Local Schools Working Together Program and was carefully researched by science Teacher Troy Sicily.

This solution means that for every kilowatt of energy the school supplies to the grid it will receive 60c — while for every kilowatt it consumes it will pay between 15-20c.

While the school doesn’t yet know how energy production will balance out with energy consumption, the principal is confident less power will be needed.

Coupled with anecdotal reports of better air quality, more comfortable temperatures, happier students, staff and parents, the new heating and energy system is clearly one that better supports the school community.

SOME FACTS

The NSW Government recently announced it would replace unflued gas heaters in 100 government schools in the coldest parts of the State.

These heaters fall into two categories. High NOx (nitrogen dioxide) and so called (low NOx) heaters. Both emit carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and water vapour.

A 2005 Hunter New England Area Health service study estimated around 20% of non-government schools were using older style high NOx heaters and found that “the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were associated with both low NOx and high NOx heaters, irrespective of any maintenance policy”.

The study also recommended: “Non government schools should consider a staged replacement of standard unflued gas heaters with flued gas or other heating types that avoid internal emissions.”
In 2009 the NSW Government commissioned a multi-million dollar report into the short term health effects of unflued gas heating. As Newsmonth went to press this report remained quarantined from public view due to parliamentary privilege.

The National Solar Schools Program is due to start again early in the 2010-2011 financial year. Previously grants have been available for up to $50,000. Visit: www.climatechange.gov.au/government/programs-and-rebates/national-solar-schools.aspx

There are a number of heating alternatives to unflued gas heating. Geothermal, hydronic, ceramic and heat exchange systems are rapidly developing. The Green Building Council of Australia has developed a rating tool which can help guide schools around the alternatives.

Visit: http://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-tools/green-star-education-v1/1762.htm

Note: The author is on the Executive of COUGH (Campaign Opposing Unflued Gas Heating) in schools. Visit www.cough.org.au for more information.

This article appears in the June 2010 edition of Newsmonth Members can read IEU publications online at www.ieu.asn.au/publications.html. Or subscribe at www.ieu.asn.au/subscribe.html.