Taking steps to improve energy efficiency is important both in conserving our environment and in producing savings for schools.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) plays a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. It provides well-timed and informed advice to the Government, delivers a range of programmes, and engages with a wide range of stakeholders.
Listed below are some useful sites and links for energy efficiency in schools:
1. Monitoring and Reporting Energy Usage
Schools can proactively manage their energy consumption to introduce local initiatives to target both increased energy efficiencies and expenditure (cash) savings, and reporting on their progress.
Energy in Education is a partnership initiative between the SEAI and the Department of Education and Skills. The website includes information on getting started in energy management, involving pupils, measuring energy use, and finding savings. There are also a range of factsheets available. The group organises regular Energy Management Workshops for schools.
3. The Triple E Products Register
The Triple E Products Register is a benchmark register of best in class energy efficient products. The European Union (Energy Efficient Public Procurement) Regulations 2011, SI 151 of 2011 state that a public body shall only procure equipment or vehicles which are listed on the Register or satisfy the published SEAI energy efficiency criteria and will specify this requirement in any documentation describing its procurement requirements.
4. Switching off for the holidays
Whether a school is closing for mid-term, Summer, Christmas or Easter holidays it is important for the school to close down completely, switching off as much energy consuming equipment as possible to save money and energy. A large school could spend over €1,000 on electricity over the summer.
5. Saving energy by upgrading your lighting system (classrooms to T5 or LED, common areas to LED)
Schools and their designers and contractors should note that all works undertaken in schools must be compliant with the relevant Department of Education Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs). Please click on the following link for more detailed information: Energy savings through lighting replacement.
6. Sign up to SEAI newsletter for more updates.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT BODIES
