Energy Reduction in Schools

UK Schools represent around a quarter of the UK’s public sector carbon emissions, which reinforces the government’s instruction to drive the sector towards net zero by 2030. Many schools have seen funding provided by schemes such as Salix’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. However, more can be done.

It can be daunting for schools to know where to start their decarbonisation journey and to clearly understand the energy-saving measures that may be suitable to each school’s individual needs. Just as importantly, when these measures would need to be considered, the commercial implication of installing them, and the funding that may be available.

Green Net Zero can help.

Working in partnership with Warneford Consulting, we combine to deliver our Stage 1 Decarbonisation Plan: Energy Audit, which collects, collates, and analyses each school’s current energy use and existing built environment building performance before providing recommendations, return on investment, and funding routes. These are presented in a way that’s accessible to all members of the decision-making process.

We understand there are many other types of energy surveys available; however, the schools we have spoken to feel they don’t give them the information and direction they specifically need.

Some capture so much data that it’s hard to decipher the solutions that are being proposed and a clear vision of their implementation. These can also cost many thousands of pounds.

Others only cover the surface and don’t give any more information than you would obtain from a more traditional Display Energy Certificate. These are low-cost but provide no value.

Then there are those reports that are simply a tick box exercise to support funding applications. These don’t necessarily provide what’s best for the school, with no long-term plan of work suggested to ultimately help the school reach its energy and carbon reduction targets.

Experience shows that it’s always best to be as prescriptive as possible and determine what you want to do with the data before and not after our survey.

Most school estates are dated, in poor condition, and thermally inefficient.

A fabric-first approach is always encouraged to ensure the building is as efficient as possible, well insulated, and ventilated with heating systems optimised and controlled correctly.

The temptation is to often install energy-efficient systems in old buildings that are draughty and have spatial restrictions. We do realise however that existing carbon-intensive assets may be at end of life and require replacing before fabric works are undertaken. Our reports also consider this approach to ensure a long-term decarbonisation implementation.

The biggest challenge facing us on our journey to decarbonisation is our dependency on fossil fuels to heat our buildings and hot water. Many school estates require additional electric supply capacity before they shift to electric alternatives. The Stage 1 report will consider these limitations and provide an options appraisal considering these technical limitations in the most commercially considerate way possible.

The system must fit the school and not the other way around.

Many of our school estates are struggling to plan their decarbonisation journey, with the end destination being energy efficient, low carbon, positive environments for students and staff. Pulling on our collective sector experience and reputation, we will make sure your energy and sustainability strategy is built on accurate information.

We will qualify and quantify all our recommendations via options appraisals so that your trust can make informed, costed decisions, and explore routes to funding and returns on investment.

Get in touch now to discuss how we map your route to an energy-efficient, low-carbon future.