By the Building Research Establishment (BRE)

Why reduce your energy consumption?
Energy produced from fossil fuels has a harmful effect on the environment because it is the biggest contributor to emissions of CO2 gas, which is acknowledged as the biggest cause of global warming. Global warming raises the overall temperature of the earth leading to the melting of the polar ice caps with a consequent increase in sea levels, threatening the homes and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.

Many communities in some of the poorest regions of the world are located in geographical areas most at risk from rising sea levels. Global warming threatens the poorest people most of all.

Although 4/5 of the earth’s surface is covered by water, it is salt water and cannot be used for either irrigation or drinking. Fresh water is a finite resource that is crucial to every living species on planet earth. The population of the earth continues to grow to proportions which will become unsustainable, even without the impact of global warming.

Fresh water is a valuable resource, which must be managed and used as such. It is vital to life and it is vital to food production.

Reducing energy usage and further reducing our dependence on energy produced from fossil fuels must be the number one priority closely followed by the husbanding of our finite water resources.

Benefits to your school
Schools must look at the way they use energy and water and take steps to reduce their consumption. Benefits will include:

• Reduced utility costs, which means more funds for other school activities
• Improved internal environments, enhancing staff and student comfort
• Reduced maintenance and equipment replacement costs
• Real experiences for pupils, bringing learning to life
• Behavioural change and increased participation and communication across all school users
• Improved understanding of citizenship and stewardship of finite resources amongst teachers, pupils, governors and parents.

As each school improves their overall sustainability, the environment benefits too. And the best bit? All the measures outlined below do not involve any financial investment. Your school can start making savings today, simply by improving its management procedures.

What tariff are you on?
The prices of gas and electricity are continually changing and vary according to the location and size of the supply. Therefore, schools that do not regularly review their suppliers could be paying more than 25% over others who have moved to the competitive market.

Always obtain commercial tariff leaflets from electricity supply companies within your geographical area. These will provide details of charging structures so it will be easy to see whether your supply is on a tariff or contract rate.

Has your school undergone competitive tendering for its gas and electricity supply?
- if your gas is supplied through a standard tariff from a preferred supplier, you may not have gone through competitive tendering and may therefore be paying too much.
- if your electricity is supplied by your regional electricity supplier you may be paying up to 20% more than those on a competitive contract.

Check your bills — if you are on a tariff rate, your bill will state the tariff structure and code. Alternatively, your supply may not be on a published tariff but may still be on contract rates and this will also be stated on the bill along with a supply contract number.

It is important that you tender your gas and electricity supply at each renewal date to ensure you get the best deal each time.

Improve your buying power
Better prices for energy are often available to larger users, you can benefit from this by joining with others in a ‘consortium’. Your Local Authority may already be involved in this practice and if you are not already engaged with their purchasing agreements you can often register your interest to be included when a new contract is negotiated.

Green electricity?
Many suppliers offer ‘green tariffs’, some of which cost slightly more than conventional electricity supplies. There are various types that can guarantee:
• Either all or a proportion of the energy bought has been generated from renewable sources
• That the increased tariff costs are used to fund research and development into improving existing or new technologies.

Check with individual suppliers to find out what is on offer or visit www.greenelectricity.org/tariffs.php to see the range of tariffs available to you.

Understand your energy and water consumption
Regularly review your invoices and compare to actual meter readings. Take meter readings last thing at night and first thing in the morning to find out how much energy or water is used when no-one is there. If this looks excessive, something is wrong so find out why. A utility management tool is available free of charge on the Sustainable Learning website. Simply register with the programme (www.sustainablelearning.info) to access it. This tool asks for regular meter readings and in return plots this information for you to view graphically and provide instant feedback should the readings look as though your energy or water trends are changing to help you quickly identify saving opportunities.

Purchasing energy and water using equipment
Energy consumption in schools is rising, but there are often big opportunities for cutting costs and making energy savings when buying new equipment.

Information, Communication and Technology
Always choose equipment that meets current and predicted requirements. Do not over specify, for example: high specification PCs with large screens and fast processors use more energy. Always take running costs into account.

Ensure all new equipment has energy saving features meeting at least ‘Energy Star’ performance specifications. For more information, see the Carbon Trust Office Equipment technology overview (CTV005) or visit www.energystar.gov

Consider purchasing ‘thin client’ technology when replacing large numbers of PC’s as these reduce energy and heat output and save space.

Catering equipment
Wherever possible purchase gas appliances as they cost considerably less to run. Look for equipment with energy saving facilities such as pan detection on hobs and ‘A’ rated appliances.

Swimming pools
If you have a pool, this will be the most energy and water intensive element of your school. Always use pool covers when not in use, and if a cover is not fitted it is well worth the cost to install one. Pool covers, if used, are the single most effective energy saving option in schools with swimming pools. Purchasing an automated cover could pay for itself if it increases the chances of it being used.

Upgrading controls
Heating and lighting in a school can often be operating for longer than needed and providing a higher level of service (over heating or over lighting an area). Fitting better controls can make the space more comfortable for users as well as reducing your operating costs. If you think there is an opportunity to upgrade your controls speak to your Local Authority or ask a couple of suppliers to visit and make some costed recommendations. Make sure you get at least three quotes before you commit to any work.

Turn off and power down
Switch off all electrical equipment when not in use and enable power down modes to reduce energy consumption and heat production. This will also reduce the risk of overheating in a space, improving internal comfort levels. Equipment should last longer which could mean lower maintenance costs and fewer breakdowns.

The Whole School Approach
Get the whole school community involved and committed as this will reduce your school‘s environmental impact. Maintaining momentum and progress is easier if everyone is working towards the same goal so the key is to get everyone involved.

Get a nationally recognised accreditation for your effort
Sustainable Learning is a free programme providing a structured, task based approach to reducing energy and water consumption in schools. Schools can register their details, discover how to make savings, monitor their progress as well as learn and share ideas with other schools working through the programme.

Many existing participants have made energy savings of 10% or more, which has often resulted in reduced energy bills. At the same time, they are reducing their environmental impact by lowering their carbon dioxide emissions.

Be rewarded for your efforts
Completing task on the programme moves your school towards national accreditation backed by the Education Department relevant to the country the school is based in. Schools will receive certificates at each key stage, acknowledging your achievements and enhancing your school’s profile.

Find out more
There are already over 1,000 schools participating in the programme. To register your school, or to find out more, visit the website at www.sustainablelearning.info or call the helpline on 0870 1 28 28 20.

Top five tips to reduce your school’s energy consumption
1. Make use of daylight in classrooms and switch off all non-essential lighting out of hours
2. Enable standby features on all equipment
3. Experiment with switch-on / off times for heating
4. Ensure thermostats are set correctly. Remember children have higher metabolic rates than adults and are comfortable at lower temperatures
5. Walk around your school at different times of the day to see how energy using services are used. Are lights left on, windows open when the heating is on, computers and printers left on when everyone has gone home?

Getting further help
Further guidance on purchasing energy and water using equipment is available free from the Carbon Trust (www.carbontrust.co.uk/schools) or the OGC (www.ogc.gov.uk) have produced a guide entitled ‘Saving money on energy’

DfES are now looking at improving the sustainability of all schools, their website www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools provides the national framework for sustainability in schools and offers some free tools and supporting information to help schools to improve all aspects of sustainability.