Sustainable & Attainable: tackling climate change -

Energy use - problems and solutions

Before action plans can be developed we need to understand the current situation. Students can use this tool to gather information about Energy problems in the school, and then propose actions to improve the situation. The location of problems can be indicated on the school map. Agreed actions can be documented in the School Environment Management Plan (SEMP).

Item / Potential problems and solutions / Notes / Actions
Temperature / What is the best temperature for your classroom?
Can the temperature be adjusted? By whom?
Are rooms heated or cooled when not in use?
Are people wearing appropriate clothing for the weather?
Shading and wind protection. Are there:
  • Deciduous plantings on north and east of buildings for summer shade?
  • Evergreen plantings on west and south of buildings for protection from winter winds?

Natural Light / Is natural light allowed inside and being used?
  • Are desks placed near windows?
  • Are windows covered e.g. with posters?
  • Are windows clean?

Do the windows have blinds/curtains? What colour are they?
Are there any skylights?
Lighting / Are lights turned off when not needed? Are any left on (during breaks or overnight)?
How many reminder signs to switch off light are there?
How many energy saving light bulbs (e.g. fluorescent tubes) are being used?
Are too many lights used in an area?
  • Are all lights operated by a single switch?
  • Are lights ‘zoned’ to allow some to be turned off when not needed?

Are light fixtures clean?

1. Your classroom

Air / Can you feel any cold draughts coming into rooms? Where?
Appliances / Do computers use sleep mode when not in use?
Do computers have flat screens? (Flat screens use less energy.)
Do appliances (e.g. TVs, DVD players, photocopy machines, printers,and computers) have a standby or energy saving mode? Is it used regularly during the day?
Are appliances turned off overnight and when not being used?
When are appliances turned off at the power point?
Can you see an energy star rating on equipment? What appliances have high/low star ratings?
2. Other areas- (Permission should be sought to carry out assessments outside the classroom.)
Item / Potential problems and solutions / Notes / Actions
Appliances / Are fridges and freezers running efficiently? Look for:
  • no frost, gaps at the top, back and sides for heat to escape
  • doors properly sealed
  • back of fridge/freezer clean from dust, cobwebs etc.
N.B. running temperatures for fridge: 3 to 5oC; for freezers: -15 to -18oC
Is equipment new and efficient? Should any appliances be replaced?
Do you have noisy machines? (Machines that produce a lot of heat or noise indicate a lot of energy is being used.)
  • Where are they?
  • Can the noise be minimised?

Are water heaters or boilers left on overnight or during holidays? (e.g. in staff/art/home economics rooms).
  • Do they have an off switch?

Outside lighting / Are lights turned off during the day?
  • Are they on a timer/sensor?
  • When are they used?

Are energy saving light bulbs being used?

1.