Umair Gaines
Schools are facing an energy crisis, with electricity costs soaring and budgets under threat. In 2022, electricity costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increased by an average of 15.8%, with schools experiencing an even higher rise of 19.3%. This is largely due to the upswing in natural gas prices, which make up nearly 40% of the nation's electricity supply. As a result, schools are seeking ways to reduce their electricity bills and free up resources. This involves finding quick wins, such as encouraging staff and students to turn off lights and appliances, and longer-term solutions like implementing energy management systems to monitor and reduce energy usage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Use LED lights, turn off lights when leaving a room, use time switches and lighting controls |
| Heating and Cooling | Set temperatures to efficient levels, use smart heating solutions, turn off vending machines outside of school hours |
| Computing | Set computers to hibernate after 10 minutes of non-use, encourage staff and pupils to manually turn off monitors |
| Catering | N/A |
| Swimming Pools | N/A |
| Energy Management | Conduct energy efficiency audits, use advanced technology like Energy Management Systems (EMS), streamline building management systems |
| Energy Supplier | Take advantage of energy deregulation and investigate supplier options |
| Utility Audits | Hire an outside source to conduct an audit and identify areas to save on utility costs |
| Building Improvements | Fix and replace windows, keep outside doors closed |
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What You'll Learn
Switch to LED lights
Schools can implement several strategies to reduce their electricity costs, and one of the most effective ways is to switch to LED lights. LED lights offer significant energy savings and can play a crucial role in helping schools manage their energy consumption and expenses.
LED lights use up to 85% less energy than traditional bulbs, which means a substantial reduction in energy costs. This is especially important considering that lighting constitutes a significant portion of a school's energy usage. By switching to LED, schools can immediately reduce their overall energy expenditure. Not only do LED lights consume less power, but they also have a longer lifespan, requiring no maintenance for over a decade. This further reduces costs by eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
To maximize the benefits of LED lighting, schools should also focus on controlling lighting usage. This includes simple measures such as reminding staff and students to turn off lights when leaving a room, which can reduce lighting costs by up to 15%. Additionally, implementing time switches and lighting controls can further optimize energy usage, especially for external lighting.
By combining the energy efficiency of LED lights with effective lighting controls, schools can significantly reduce their electricity costs. This not only helps schools financially but also contributes to long-term sustainability and environmental conservation.
To further enhance energy savings, schools can conduct utility audits to identify other areas of improvement. This may include addressing issues with windows and doors, as older buildings often face challenges with air escaping through cracks, leading to increased energy usage for heating and cooling.
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Turn off vending machines and computers when not in use
Schools are increasingly facing alarming trends in energy costs, with electricity costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increasing by an average of 15.8%, and schools experiencing an even higher increase of 19.3% in energy costs. To tackle this issue, schools can adopt various measures to reduce electricity consumption and costs. One such measure is to turn off vending machines and computers when not in use.
Vending machines can contribute significantly to electricity costs, with their energy consumption depending on size and functionality. Basic vending machines with standard features typically use around 7 kWh per day, while larger, feature-rich machines can consume up to 15 kWh daily. This results in varying monthly electricity costs, depending on the vending machine type and energy prices in a specific location. For example, the average monthly electricity cost for a vending machine owner in the United States is approximately $25.95, based on a daily average consumption of 8.3 kWh and the average electricity rate across all states.
To optimize energy usage and reduce costs associated with vending machines, schools can implement several strategies. Firstly, schools should ensure that vending machines dispensing non-perishable items are turned off when not in use, especially after the school day ends. This can be effectively managed using a seven-day time switch, which can save up to £85 per year, compared to keeping these machines constantly running. Additionally, modern vending machines with energy-saving features, such as low-power states when inactive, can further reduce energy consumption and associated costs.
Computers and monitors are another significant source of electricity consumption in schools. It is important to encourage staff and students to turn off computers and monitors when they are not in use. Monitors alone account for about two-thirds of a computer's total energy consumption. By ensuring that computers are set to hibernate mode after 10 minutes of inactivity and promoting manual shutdown of monitors, schools can significantly reduce electricity costs.
By implementing these strategies, schools can effectively manage their electricity usage and reduce costs associated with vending machines and computers. These measures contribute to the overall energy-saving agenda, freeing up resources for other essential areas of school operations.
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Set heating and cooling to efficient temperatures
Schools can implement several measures to control electricity costs, with heating and cooling being key areas of focus. Firstly, it is essential to set temperature controls to efficient levels. The recommended temperature for classrooms is 18°C. This small adjustment can significantly impact energy consumption and costs. Smart Heating Solutions can be employed to optimise energy usage and tackle waste in this area.
Another critical aspect is ensuring that heating and cooling systems are well-maintained. Regular checks and repairs can prevent energy wastage and prolong the lifespan of the equipment. Schools should also consider investing in advanced technology, such as Energy Management Systems (EMS). EMS provides valuable insights into energy consumption patterns, helping schools identify areas of waste and make informed decisions to optimise their energy usage.
In addition to temperature settings and maintenance, simple practices can make a difference. Keeping outside doors closed is an easy way to maintain the desired temperature and prevent energy loss. Additionally, during holiday periods, it is crucial to turn off all electrical appliances and devices, including vending machines, which can incur unnecessary costs when left running.
By combining these strategies, schools can effectively manage their heating and cooling systems, reducing electricity costs and contributing to long-term sustainability. These measures empower schools to take control of their energy usage and make a positive impact on both their budgets and the environment.
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Conduct a utility audit
Conducting a utility audit is a great way for schools to decrease electricity costs. A utility audit involves hiring an external, trained party to create a certified report on areas where the school can save on utility costs. This report can be used as proof of eligibility for savings.
The process of a utility audit involves a checklist, which the auditor works through to identify areas where the school can save on costs. This checklist will likely focus on the key areas of energy use: lighting, heating, computing, and catering. For example, the auditor may recommend that the school remind staff and pupils to turn off lights when they leave a room, which could cut lighting costs by up to 15%. They may also suggest that the school replaces old bulbs with LED lights, which use up to 85% less energy than traditional bulbs.
Another key area of energy use is heating. A utility audit may recommend that the school uses smart heating solutions to reduce wasted energy. This could involve setting heating controls to the most efficient temperatures, such as the recommended temperature of 18°C for classrooms. The auditor may also suggest that the school fixes and replaces windows, as older buildings often have cracks in the seals that cause air to escape, requiring more energy to heat and cool the building.
Computing is another area that a utility audit may address. For example, the auditor may recommend that the school sets all computers to activate "hibernate mode" after 10 minutes of non-use, and encourages staff and pupils to manually turn off monitors when they are not being used. This is important because monitors are responsible for almost two-thirds of a computer's total energy consumption.
By conducting a utility audit, schools can identify simple yet effective ways to reduce their electricity costs and free up resources for other important areas.
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Fix windows and keep outside doors closed
Keeping windows closed and outside doors closed is an important aspect of controlling electricity costs in schools. This is because heating and cooling account for a large proportion of energy consumption in schools.
To ensure that windows remain closed, it is important to first address any issues with thermostatic control. Poor thermostatic control can lead to classrooms being overheated, which in turn leads to windows being opened to cool the room. Fixing thermostatic controls can be challenging, but it can be tackled through behavioural changes. For example, displaying a large thermometer in each classroom with a recommended temperature drawn on it can help pupils monitor the temperature. Caretakers or building managers can also regularly check thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to ensure they are not set to the maximum temperature. In addition, the main thermostats for the boiler should be well-positioned in locations that are representative of the majority of the school's rooms.
It is also important to ensure that windows and skylights are regularly cleaned to maximise the amount of natural light in classrooms. This can help reduce the need for artificial lighting, thereby reducing electricity costs.
To keep outside doors closed, schools can implement simple measures such as encouraging staff and pupils to keep doors closed to prevent warm or cool air from escaping. Schools can also form groups of 'eco-champions' or 'power rangers' who can check at the end of each day that doors are closed and remind staff and students to keep doors closed.
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Frequently asked questions
Schools can control their electricity costs by implementing quick and easy wins, such as setting computers to hibernate after 10 minutes of non-use, using LED lights, and reminding staff and pupils to turn off lights when they leave a room.
Schools can adopt long-term strategies such as regular maintenance of energy systems, using advanced technology like Energy Management Systems (EMS), and conducting utility audits to identify areas where they can save on utility costs.
Heating and cooling account for a significant portion of energy consumption in schools. By setting controls to efficient temperatures, such as the recommended 18°C for classrooms, schools can reduce wasted energy and lower their electricity costs.
Lighting constitutes a substantial portion of energy consumption in schools. Schools can reduce lighting costs by using LED lights, which use up to 85% less energy, and by implementing time switches and lighting controls for external lighting.
Older school buildings may have issues with windows and seals, causing air to escape and requiring more energy for heating and cooling. Schools can improve energy efficiency by fixing and replacing windows, keeping outside doors closed, and investigating energy supplier options in energy-deregulated states.
