Photo by Ryan Jacobson, Unsplash
U4L
Three upgrades for a more sustainable school Climate change is one of our time’s biggest issues and 88% of young people feel responsible for fighting it (UNICEF, EU, AU 2021). Sustainability is now high on the agenda for many schools, but some may not be aware that energy could be one of their biggest polluters. In this article, we explore practical steps a school can take for a greener energy strategy. With large buildings to keep warm and light, heaps of science and IT equipment, and kitchens of various scales, schools use a lot of energy in their day-to-day operations. This is especially true for those located in older buildings. If energy is sourced from fossil fuels, it can be one of the biggest polluters for schools. In fact, the World Resources Institute (2020) estimates that 17.5% of global emissions are caused by energy use in buildings. Opting for a green energy strategy is a great way to both make a school more sustainable and engage with climateconscious students. According to ISA Gold Supplier U4L, the first and easiest step towards a more sustainable school is to switch electricity supply to 100% renewable energy sources such as sun and wind power. This will significantly reduce a school’s carbon footprint in an instant, and many suppliers now offer it at little or no extra cost. The second step is improving your school’s energy efficiency. This requires a little more involvement, but comes with the added benefit of also greatly reducing your energy costs. Per the Institute of School Business Leadership (2021), it’s estimated that 20% of schools’ energy use is wasted on uneconomical methods. ISBL suggests that “efficiency savings need to be considered, such as energy efficient lighting, upgrading heating controls, managing ICT loads, and eliminating draughts.”. Based on the south coast of the UK, U4L specialises in renewable energy procurement and efficiency solutions. Its team has spent the past year talking to schools about reducing their energy costs, as well as their carbon footprint. U4L’s Associate Partner and net zero specialist Matthew Wright explains: “Many independent schools operate in buildings which are hundreds of years old. They can be poorly insulated and often
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feature high ceilings and single-glazed windows, leading to poor energy efficiency and high heating costs. Despite this, there are plenty of options for these schools to become more sustainable without impacting the historical features of the buildings.” While new technologies may come at a cost, the resulting energy savings usually translate to a return on investment within between 6-24 months. As energy costs are on the rise, that number is likely to go down even further. Matthew adds: “We recommend starting by upgrading lights and installing motion sensors, as this offers the quickest return on investment. The subsequent savings can then be gradually invested in other efficiency equipment, creating a snowball effect where each investment pays for the next.” Three of the most effective upgrades available for schools: • Lighting The most dramatic drop in energy use can usually be achieved by upgrading lights throughout all buildings. By swapping old halogen bulbs for modern LEDs, energy use is reduced by around 80%. Furthermore, PIR (Passive Infrared) motion sensors are a great option for ensuring lights are only on when someone is in the room. • Heating Switching out old boilers to more efficient counterparts can significantly reduce a school’s heating costs and its carbon footprint. Depending on the requirements, either a modern electric boiler or an efficient gas boiler could offer some great savings. •V oltage optimisation Although most electrical appliances operate at 220V, power from the National Grid is generally supplied at around 242V. This means any surplus energy is wasted, and results in unnecessary wear and tear on appliances. A voltage optimiser is a device which is attached to your energy supply to ensure only the required voltage is used, and any excess is returned to the grid. This can both reduce electricity usage by up to 19% and extend the life of your appliances.
