Headteachers could conduct “spot checks” on energy use across their school to encourage behaviour change, according to new government guidance.
The Department for Education has released guidance on “energy efficiency” for schools today, which suggests that behavioural changes within schools can help to reduce usage.
The guidance says that this could include spot checks by site premises managers, senior leadership teams, headteachers or eco clubs to “encourage key user actions”, such as switching off lights and equipment in empty rooms.
Other suggestions include putting up posters to remind staff and pupils to turn off equipment, as well as assemblies, staff meetings and lessons on energy efficiency.
Full guidance has been released by the department alongside an announcement that schools will get extra cash for energy efficiency upgrades this winter.
The money is not ringfenced for energy work but can only be spent on capital projects rather than revenue costs, such as staff salaries.
Here are some of the key recommendations from the new DfE guidance:
1. Schools should consider an energy audit
The DfE guidance tells leaders an audit “should consider what actions, practices and interventions you can take to reduce energy consumption”.
It says an audit could include “walking around the site with a relevant senior leader”, “developing an action plan” and “agreeing the next steps”.
And it adds that, as part of this, schools should “review the current heating system’s annual maintenance contract”.
2. Schools should check tax payments
The guidance contains a section entitled “understanding your energy bills”, which explains that bills are made up of different costs, including energy unit rates and standing charges.
As part of this, it explains: “If your school is voluntary-aided, voluntary-controlled or foundation, it has charitable status and you should not normally be charged 20 per cent VAT and Climate Change Levy (CCL) on your energy supplies.
“If your school is being charged, contact your supplier and notify them of your VAT status, using the supplier’s VAT declaration. This will reduce the VAT level to 5 per cent and remove the CCL charge.”
3. Consider reducing temperatures
The guidance adds that schools could adjust temperature settings and consider reducing the temperature in some areas to reduce usage.
It gives “suitable minimum temperatures” as:
- 18°C for parts of the building where there is a normal level of activity, such as classrooms and offices.
- 21°C for areas where the occupants are inactive or sick.
- 15°C for other teaching accommodation, washrooms, sleeping accommodation and circulation areas.
It adds that schools could consider installing central heating controls to set automated temperatures based on “daily or weekly needs”.
4. Maximise natural daylight
Another part of the guidance focuses on lighting and tells school staff they can maximise natural lighting and reduce the need for artificial lights by “drawing blinds up”, “removing window obstructions”, and “regularly cleaning all windows, skylights, transparent doors and lights”.
It suggests schools could label large banks of light switches so users know what each switch controls.
And it also adds that schools could look into installing movement sensors to make sure lights are switched on only when an area is in use.
5. Set computers to automatically power down
The guidance says that schools should switch off electrical equipment when not in use and, “where possible, set devices to automatically power down”.
It adds: “Do not enable automatic power-up settings, as this will turn on all computers, regardless of whether they’re needed or not.”
On buying new equipment, it adds: “Factor in energy efficiency as part of your decisions. Consider whether increased costs upfront will be offset by savings over time with more energy efficient equipment.”
6. Solar panels and wind turbines could generate own energy
The guidance tells school leaders that if they are interested in generating their own renewable energy on site, they should ask for expert guidance about wind turbines, solar panels and solar thermal panels.
But it adds that there are key considerations for each.
For example, on wind turbines, it states: “You’ll need a wind speed of at least 5 meters per second and an outside space free from obstacles such as buildings or trees. Turbines typically need a maintenance check every 2 years. You should consider if the ongoing maintenance is affordable.”
And on solar panels, it says: “You should appoint a specialist to assess the existing roof space in terms of space available and structural integrity. The existing roof may be unable to accommodate the load”.
