Detailed Analysis of the Construction, Operating, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Costs of Green Toronto Schools

Abstract

AbstractThe lack of quantitative data relating initial investment to long-term costs has raised concerns about green buildings’ long-term economic effectiveness. This study analyzed the operating, maintenance, rehabilitation, and total costs of 10 conventional, 20 energy-retrofitted, and three green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Toronto schools over 8 years. Although green schools’ operating, maintenance, rehabilitation, and total costs were 17, 20, 32, and 25% lower than conventional schools’ costs, respectively, the statistical analysis showed no statistically significant difference in these costs between conventional, energy-retrofitted, and green schools. There was a strong negative linear relationship between schools’ operating costs and age and a strong positive relationship between schools’ maintenance and rehabilitation costs. Results also showed statistically significant linear increases in maintenance and rehabilitation costs over time in conventional and energy-retrofitted schoo...