Energy
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Energy
Energy is the second theme we undertook during our Green-Schools programme and we subsequently earned our second green flag.
We learned about the origins of our energy at present and how continuing to burn coal oil and gas and other fossil fuels adds to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere causing a ‘green house’ effect . This is a major cause of our climate change over the past few decades.
We looked at how we as a school could start to reduce our carbon footprint.
We did an energy audit / survey. We looked at our heat and electricity bills and analysed them. It was costing a lot to heat our school and to keep lights and whiteboards working.
We got the ‘lend’ of a thermal camera which showed us where heat was being lost.
We put up signs to ensure outside doors were closed to keep the heat in.
Weimplemented a 'TURN IT OFF' campaign and advised teachers to turn off lights and electrical equipment when leaving the classroom for long periods of time.
We sent home tips to parents to advise how they could save energy at home.
We installed an OWL energy monitor to calculate how much energy we were spending per day and it showed how much energy was being used in school at any one time.
We had a low – no energy day where teachers ‘tried’ not to use the photocopier – the interactive whiteboards and turn off lights if possible.
Our aim was to reduce our energy costs by 10 % - We achieved that and more – We reduced our energy costs by 20% - by comparing the energy bills from one year to the next.
An important part of our Action Plan was the monitoring of this success. Our Green schools committee are full time on the watch for energy wasting and classes get regular reminders regarding energy saving on a frequent basis.
We got our second green flag in 2013.
