Energy save

Small actions, big results for your school

We all use energy every day.  In the morning energy is used for heating water for your shower, cooking your toast and driving to school.   During the school day energy powers the computers in the library, the bell at recess and the lights in your classroom.  Think about all of the rooms in your school - that's a lot of lights!

There are many things we can do to become energy wise.  Discuss these ideas with your friends and teachers.  You'll be surprised at how easy it is to save energy at school!

Light Action

• Turn off the lights when you are not using them.  Just switching off at recess and lunchtime can save a lot of energy. 
• Open the blinds to let in natural light and maybe you won't need to turn on so many lights.
• Check the hallways and other shared spaces.  Often lights are left on when they aren't needed.
  
  

Cool Ideas

• When the cooler or heater is on keep the doors, windows and blinds closed.
• Only use heaters when there is someone in the room. 
• Check the settings on your thermostat.  Heaters should be set at 18-20 degrees and air-conditioners at 24 degrees.
• Check for drafts coming through gaps around windows and doors by holding a tissue up near the gap and seeing if it moves.  Talk to your teacher about how to plug the gaps.

Power Down

• Make sure all computers are turned off when not in use.  Remember screen savers do not save energy! 
• Monitors use a lot of energy, so ensure they are switched off.  New computers have a function setting which automatically switches off the computer and/or monitor after a set amount of time.  Investigate these options.
• Ensure printers and photocopiers are switched off at night and on weekends.  Check to see if they have an 'Energy Saver' setting and make sure people know how to use it.

Extra Tips

• Check for leaky taps.  Dripping hot water taps are using energy with each drop as well as wasting water.
• Appoint a 'Power Ranger' in each class.  This person is responsible to make sure everything is turned off each day.  Everyone should have a turn at being the "Power Ranger".
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.  The three R's are a great way to save money, energy and waste.

Want to save even more?

By using Western Power's Energy Saving Kit for Schools you could save up to 30% on energy bills and 20,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases in your school.  Get a team of teachers and students together and work through the tasks outlined in the kit.  The team will develop the following:

• An assessment of the school's current energy consumption.
• The school's energy management policy.
• A strategy for implementing the policy; and,
• A presentation to show the results to the school council.