Analysis of energy performance and conservation measures of school buildings in northern Greece

School buildings apart from the shelter they provide they have an educational role as pupils have the opportunity to learn from their early educational steps how to become environmental friendly and aware of the energy consumption and its results. This consideration is nowadays increasing the concern throughout Europe and promotes sustainable solutions in school buildings involving energy-efficient technologies and measures. The energy performance of school buildings at the primary and secondary education level located at northern Greece is investigated in this article, covering the C and the D climatic zones. The mean energy consumption of all buildings was recorded at about 84 kWh/m(2). When the normalized energy consumption is considered, this value falls to a mean value of 41 kWh/m(2). Energy saving can be applied at school buildings providing considerable energy savings while improving indoor thermal conditions. School buildings have mainly heating energy needs and thus, it is important to investigate measures to reduce heating energy. Although schools operate for a short period during the cooling period, indoor overheating conditions can be avoided with simple and relatively inexpensive measures (proper shading, nigh ventilation, ceiling fans, external surface colour). With the EPBD recast demand for 'Nearly zero energy buildings' by 2018 for public buildings, the combined application of energy saving measures in order to reduce energy needs and RES systems to cover the remained energy needs allows for investigation of different systems combination in order to cover the varying energy needs according the size, shape and location of school buildings.