Schools could save £70m through energy efficiency measures

The organisation claims no cost and low cost energy efficiency measures are capable of saving a secondary school up to £21,500 a year – which is equivalent to the salary cost of a newly qualified teacher. 

Carbon Trust has therefore launched a new service for schools which provides tools, resources and onsite training on saving energy and carbon.

Public Sector Advice at Carbon Trust managing director Richard Rugg claims the service could save schools an estimated £70m a year on their energy bills.

“Right now we know that schools are needlessly spending too much money on their energy bills. Taking action on this will not only free up budgets for educational spending, it will also help to combat climate change,” he said.”

He added: “In most cases significant savings can be achieved within weeks or months, with low and no cost measures. In particular making sure that lighting, heating and devices that consume electricity, such as computers, are used efficiently.”

“Further savings can be made through investment in building fabric, upgrading lighting and putting in new heating systems or renewables. These measures not only help cut overheads, they have the supplementary benefit of creating a more effective learning environment.”

One secondary school in Croydon, Thomas More Catholic School, an energy intensive listed building built in 1843, piloted the service and made annual savings of £12,000.

Conor McGlone