DERBYSHIRE LEA
ENERGY POLICY
BUXTON COMMUNITY
SCHOOL
Revision Authorised by Date Adopted By Date/Minute No
Revision Date/ Description of Changes
Minute No
th
Signed by Chair of Governors: Date: 4 February 2008
th
Signed by Chair of Governors: Review Date: 26 January 2009
BUXTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL
ENERGY POLICY
Energy Efficiency Good Housekeeping Measures
Good housekeeping measures cost little or nothing to implement but can often result
in significant savings. Studies have shown that up to 15% of energy costs can be
saved.
Examples of such measures are:
Lighting
Only switch on lights when required; if there is sufficient daylight leave them off.
Switch off lighting when the area lit is unoccupied - DO NOT THINK IT IS NOT
YOUR CONCERN!
Fluorescent lights should always be left off when not required.
Switching on and off does not waste electricity.
Replace old G.L.S. bulbs with low energy ones.
Switching off lights when not required (contrary to popular myth, it is not
cheaper to leave a fluorescent light on rather than turn it off).
Reporting a dim or flickering fluorescent lights (this can use more energy than a
new light fitting).
Where possible, replacing tungsten element lamps with Compact Fluorescent
Lamps (CFLs) with approximately a 75% saving plus longer lamp life.
Where possible, replacing 38mm (T12) fluorescent tubes with 26mm (T8)
fluorescent tubes with approximately a 8% saving plus longer lamp life.
Heating
Try to make sure that the temperatures in your building/room are within the
guidelines.
Work areas should NOT BE COOLED BY OPENING DOORS OR WINDOWS.
If you have a problem of overheating, report it to the caretakers.
Thermostatic controls should be used to control heating systems where
possible.
During lunch and break times make sure that the doors are kept closed and
lights switched off.
Turning thermostats down (18°C should be adequate for typical classroom
activities).
Turning thermostatic radiator valves down (where fitted) to control individual
rooms
Not using unauthorised supplementary electric heaters
Ensuring radiators and heaters are not blocked or covered.
Switching off fans when not required.
Disconnecting electrical appliances when not required.
Only filling kettles with as much water as you need (though you must cover the
element).
Reporting heating faults.
Where possible, ensure equipment is “Energy Star” compliant before
purchasing.
Hot Water
Use hot water sparingly and avoid washing under a running tap. Use the plug.
Report all leaking taps to the caretakers. If an excessive leak - isolate.
Electric water heaters should be switched off when not in use.
Checking the correct operation of controls (including urinal flush controls)
Reporting leaking taps/urinals
Equipment
Switch off extraction fans in toilets and kitchens when not required.
Do not leave equipment, such as computers on or idling when not in use,
especially at the end of the day.
Cleaners/caretakers will not turn off computers.
Keeping doors and windows closed.
Cleaning windows and fluorescent lamp diffusers may increase the light
available.
Reporting building defects, (broken windows, skylights, roof leaks etc,)
Whenever possible, schedule evening meetings/activities in areas that can be
heated individually.
Caretakers taking regular monthly meter readings and monitoring consumption
can aid in ensuring energy efficiency practices are being maintained and
carried out. Comparing the meter readings to utility invoices (or ideally sending
the meter readings to the utility providers) will reduce incorrect invoice queries
and provide a more accurate budget allocation.
Generally, energy consuming equipment (this includes TVs, VCRs, light boards, PCs
and monitors) should be switched off/shut down when not required, this can be done
either:
Manually (zero cost) – everybody is responsible for turning off equipment.
Automatically (may have cost implications) – time controls, PIR sensors, daylight
sensors, time delay switches, etc.
All PCs should have standby modes activated, monitors should be turned off during
breaks of longer than 15 minutes and when not required during a lesson and PCs
switched off at the end of lessons where possible. The monitor uses 60% of the
energy used by the PC. Screen savers do not save energy and complex screen
savers actually increase energy use.
N.B. Projectors should always be powered down in the correct manner as
disconnecting without doing so could cause lamp failure.
It should be noted that photocopiers should be disconnected (where the service
agreement allows) at night and weekends to conserve energy as electrical equipment
still uses power when on standby.
As a general rule please be responsible for closing any windows you have opened,
switching off any appliances you have used, and with security in mind, please LOCK
rooms as you leave them. This is especially important at the end of the school day as
the cleaners can take up to 2 hours to reach a particular room.
Your compliance with these points will result in considerable financial savings on the
energy budget.