Evaluation of the Ulaanbaatar school buildings thermo-technical retrofitting project : final report

The overall goal of the project was to demonstrate the heat energy savings that could be achieved through thermal insulation and heating system improvements at three school buildings. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the extent to which the project achieved its energy, greenhouse gas (GHG), and learning objectives, and to develop recommendations for the project and for future programming of a similar type. The thermal-technical retrofits to School Nos. 79-1, 79-2, and 63 have transformed exceedingly cold, drafty, and leaky buildings into warm and comfortable environments conducive to learning. The resulting comfort levels in the school buildings have exceeded the expectations of the school staff and students, as well as some project engineers and contractors. School staff and students are pleased with the new environment, more proud of their schools, and expect learning to improve as a result of the retrofits. Two unplanned benefits of this project are that the teachers and some parents at School No. 63 were so enthusiastic about the reincarnation of the building that they repainted the interior of the facility themselves, and people who live near School No. 63 are using the building as a type of informal community center for sports and other activities during non-school hours. Overall, the evaluation team found that the quality of workmanship in both the construction plans and the construction was high, that building envelop improvements were consistent with the plans, and that high quality materials were used. Project partner architects, engineers, and contractors, as well as school directors, noted the unusually thorough and effective construction site supervision and project management, which ensured that construction procedures adhered. (Excerpt, modified)