Page 37 - Day of Action

7.2

Activity: the energy audit

One of the best ways for pupils to find out about the about the building that could be helpful. thinking of ways to make their school more efficient.
cost of energy consumption and how to cut down Start by asking them to identify every possible impact
on energy use is to conduct an energy audit, setting 1. Why conserve energy? on energy use in the school. This could include:
targets for reducing unnecessary energy use and
regularly monitoring consumption. This gives pupils In order to realise why it’s important for the school • heating (including hot water)
a chance to investigate, identify problem areas and to conserve energy, pupils first need to understand • insulation, drafts and ventilation
draw up an action plan to conserve energy more what energy is, how it is generated, and the global • lighting
efficiently and raise awareness of the issue. consequences of overuse. Can pupils think of ways in • appliances (such as computers and TVs)
which the school might be able to help?
The outcomes of the audit might include improving 4. Investigating problems
insulation, reducing the temperature of hot water 2. Measuring the cost of energy
storage tanks, switching off lights and devices more Pupils are now ready to investigate problem areas
often, and buying energy saving light bulbs. Think about what energy use costs the school. Ask to find out if they could be made more efficient.
pupils to look at last year’s energy bills and calculate This is a big job, so several groups of pupils could be
Investigate buying electricity from ‘green’ generation the amount of energy used each quarter. They can assigned one specific area to investigate. Are lights
companies. These companies are obliged to supply then compare the figures with the benchmark table left on unnecessarily? Are doors and windows sealed
some or all the electricity a school consumes from to estimate how efficiently their school manages properly or are they draughty? Are computers,
renewable energy sources. energy. monitors and TVs switched off when not in use
rather than switched to ‘standby’ mode, which can
A successful, comprehensive energy audit will require Encourage pupils to think about factors which might still use as much as 40% of the normal power of an
teamwork and cooperation. You will need the help affect the figures, for example the size and location appliance? Is tap water comfortably hot or scalding?
and support of pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff of the school, and the weather in different seasons. Apart from in kitchens and cleaners’ rooms, water
and organisations within the local community. Can they explain why more energy is used in some should be no hotter than 43ºC.
quarters than others?
The site manager will have an important role to play 5. Presenting findings
as he or she will have most information about the 3. Identifying hotspots
school’s heating and lighting systems. The school When each group has finished their investigation, ask
secretary will have information on costs. The local Once pupils have an idea of the cost of energy and them to make a short presentation explaining what
authority may also hold some additional information how well their school manages it, they can start they have discovered. Pupils can write down all the