Comprehensive activities to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings of Primary School No. 4 and Technical School No. 1 in Żory

About the project

The city of Żory concluded an agreement (date:14.03.2023 r.) with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Warsaw for co-financing the project entitled “Comprehensive activities to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings of Primary School No. 4 and Technical School No. 1 in Żory” from the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 under the program: “Environment, Energy and Climate Change”, program area: Energy.

The total value of the project is PLN 7 277 919,70.

The city obtained funding in the amount of: PLN 4 152 242,80, including:

– from the EEA Financial Mechanism: PLN 3 529 406,38

– from the state budget in the amount of PLN 622 836,42

Expected project completion date: April 2024.

What will this project be about?

The main objective of the project is to reduce CO2 emissions, increase the share of energy generated in RES, reduce primary energy consumption and increase public awareness of energy efficiency.

The energy modernization of two buildings will be carried out schools located in the city of Żory, and the exact scope of the investment depends on the characteristics of a specific facility and the needs resulting from energy audits. These schools are a beautifully presented building of Nicolaus Copernicus Technical School No. 1 in Żory and the building of the Otylia Jędrzejczak Primary School No. 4 with Sports Departments and the Sports Championship in Żory. In addition to thermal modernization, the project also provides for the use of renewable energy sources – the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings, as well as the replacement of internal lighting in Primary School 4.

The buildings planned for thermal modernization are so-called old buildings, generating significant heat losses. For economic and environmental reasons, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of energy use in buildings.

As a result, after carrying out a complex of works, heat losses will be reduced in both buildings, which will allow for savings in terms of electricity and heat costs. An added effect of the project is the fact that thanks to the improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings, working and educational conditions will be improved in the institutions.

Construction works aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the building of the Nicolaus Copernicus Technical School No. 1 in Żory include:

• thermal insulation of the roof with polystyrene, raising chimneys and fire walls and replacing flashings, gutters and ventilation pipes,
• insulation of facade walls with plinths and reveals, using polystyrene and thin-layer plaster – in accordance with the ETICS technology,
• replacement of external window sills,
• replacement of downpipes with water draining to the rainwater drainage system,
• renovation of canopies over the entrance door,
• renovation of the entrance stairs with the use of granite slabs along with the replacement of balustrades,
• thermal and water insulation of plinth walls and basement walls,
• execution of a new band around the building made of paving tiles,
• replacement of the lightning protection system,
• modernization of the central heating installation with the replacement of devices in the heat substation,
• replacement of the internal central heating installation with the replacement of radiators,
• construction works after replacing the internal central heating installation (masonry and plastering, flooring, painting),
• installation of photovoltaic panels with power optimizers,
• installation of a photovoltaic inverter,
• performing maintenance activities and annual inspections of the photovoltaic installation required by the manufacturer during the warranty period,
• the PV installation will be monitored on-line via the free application of the inverter manufacturer.

As part of the planned works aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the building of Otylia Jedrzejczak Primary School No. 4 with Sports Departments and the Sports Championship of Otylia Jedrzejczak in Żory, the following works are envisaged:

• insulation of external walls
• insulation of the flat roof together with the replacement of the covering
• replacement of windows and doors,
• renovation of external stairs,
• replacement of railings,
• renovation of chimneys,
• replacement of flashings with guttering,
• renovation and replacement of roofing
• plastering and painting works,
• ramp for people with disabilities,
• making a mural and a description of the name of the school on the plaster in accordance with the colors of the façade
• disassembly of the existing heating node,
• assembly of a compact heating substation,
• replacement of thermostatic valves with thermostatic heads.
• replacement of the electrical installation,
• replacement of lighting fixtures,
• installation of photovoltaic panels with power optimizers
• installation of a photovoltaic inverter,
• performing maintenance activities and annual inspections of the photovoltaic installation required by the manufacturer during the warranty period,
• the PV installation will be monitored on-line via the free application of the inverter manufacturer.

The project will also include extensive educational and informational activities aimed at raising the ecological awareness of the inhabitants and changing their thinking and behavior towards energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. What exactly will happen?

• We will announce an ecological competition entitled “Green corner at school” for the organization of just such a corner in Żory institutions. It will be a real change in each of the schools that decide to participate in it. Vertical gardens and pocket parks will be awarded.
• The results of the competition will be presented at the conference closing the project. And the prizes will be didactic aids for the laboratory allowing to expand knowledge in the field of renewable energy sources and educational games in the field of improving energy efficiency.
• We will also organize a series of 4 workshops.
• The result will be the training of specialists in the field of energy efficiency activities, who will be responsible for running interest circles on ecological topics in schools planned as part of the project and examining the impact of “energy” choices on the environment.
• The summary of the workshop activities will be the “Energy Savings Day”.
• We will also organize an inter-school debate on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
• Educational activities will end with the occasional issue of the Municipal Information Bulletin – Kurier Żorski under the slogan “Energy-saving is us”, which will be entirely devoted to ecological issues.