Pupils talk to the school business or estate manager about improving the efficiency of school lighting
Harris Primary Academy Shortlands, Wednesday, 17 May 2023
30
Communicator
KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
What you did
In our journey towards creating an energy-efficient school, we acknowledged that we had many allies. Our business manager or estates manager played a pivotal role, as they had a clear understanding of our school's energy consumption. We shared the same vision, albeit driven by different reasons: our eco-team aimed to reduce our school's carbon emissions, whereas the business manager focused on the cost of energy.
With the focus being on lighting in our school buildings, which is vital for the wellbeing of pupils and staff, we had a comprehensive discussion with our business manager or estate manager on this subject.
The right level and quality of light could significantly enhance the alertness and accuracy of those working under it. Moreover, lighting accounted for up to 40% of a building's electricity use, making it crucial in our quest to reduce energy consumption.
We sat down with the business or estate manager to discuss improving the efficiency of our school's lighting. Some of the key points on our agenda included:
1. Upgrading to the most efficient lighting available. We discussed replacing existing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes with low-energy LED lights. These lights reduced energy use, eliminated flicker and hum, extended lamp life and allowed dimming – making classrooms more comfortable. We ensured this was included in the school's purchasing policy so that each failed light was replaced with an LED equivalent.
2. Implementing occupancy sensors: These sensors could significantly reduce electricity use by dimming or switching off lights when a room was unoccupied. We considered adding these sensors to toilets and resource rooms that were only used occasionally.
3. Considering daylight sensors: Using these sensors to adjust artificial lighting in line with the amount of natural light in a room could potentially cut our electricity use by up to 40%.
4. Creating a maintenance plan: Regular cleaning of windows and skylights could reduce the need for artificial light. We discussed implementing a regular cleaning schedule to improve the performance of our lighting fixtures.
We also recognised that our teachers could contribute to this mission by decluttering around windows. By keeping windows clear of posters and resources, we could maximise the amount of natural light entering our classrooms, further reducing our reliance on artificial light.
With the focus being on lighting in our school buildings, which is vital for the wellbeing of pupils and staff, we had a comprehensive discussion with our business manager or estate manager on this subject.
The right level and quality of light could significantly enhance the alertness and accuracy of those working under it. Moreover, lighting accounted for up to 40% of a building's electricity use, making it crucial in our quest to reduce energy consumption.
We sat down with the business or estate manager to discuss improving the efficiency of our school's lighting. Some of the key points on our agenda included:
1. Upgrading to the most efficient lighting available. We discussed replacing existing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes with low-energy LED lights. These lights reduced energy use, eliminated flicker and hum, extended lamp life and allowed dimming – making classrooms more comfortable. We ensured this was included in the school's purchasing policy so that each failed light was replaced with an LED equivalent.
2. Implementing occupancy sensors: These sensors could significantly reduce electricity use by dimming or switching off lights when a room was unoccupied. We considered adding these sensors to toilets and resource rooms that were only used occasionally.
3. Considering daylight sensors: Using these sensors to adjust artificial lighting in line with the amount of natural light in a room could potentially cut our electricity use by up to 40%.
4. Creating a maintenance plan: Regular cleaning of windows and skylights could reduce the need for artificial light. We discussed implementing a regular cleaning schedule to improve the performance of our lighting fixtures.
We also recognised that our teachers could contribute to this mission by decluttering around windows. By keeping windows clear of posters and resources, we could maximise the amount of natural light entering our classrooms, further reducing our reliance on artificial light.
Activity description
You will have many allies in your mission to make your school energy efficient. One of the most important of these is the business manager or estates manager. More than anyone else, they will be aware of how much energy you're using. We might all have different reasons for taking action on our energy use - your eco team might want to reduce your school's planet warming carbon emissions - but for your business manager, the cost of energy will be a major factor. Don't forget this when you're chatting to them.
This activity focuses on lighting in your school.
You may want to conduct a lighting audit or monitor light levels prior to this activity.
Getting the lighting in your school buildings right is really important for the wellbeing of pupils and staff - the right level and quality of light improves the alertness and accuracy of those working in it. Not only this though, up to 40% of a building's electricity use is accounted for by lighting so tackling this is important for your energy consumption.
This activity focuses on lighting in your school.
You may want to conduct a lighting audit or monitor light levels prior to this activity.
Getting the lighting in your school buildings right is really important for the wellbeing of pupils and staff - the right level and quality of light improves the alertness and accuracy of those working in it. Not only this though, up to 40% of a building's electricity use is accounted for by lighting so tackling this is important for your energy consumption.
Ask to speak to your school business or estate manager about improving the efficiency of school lighting.
You could discuss:
You could discuss:
- Upgrading to the most efficient lighting possible. Upgrade existing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes to low energy LED tubes and lights. LED lighting reduces energy use and heat output, eliminates flicker and hum, extends lamp life (by up to 50%) and can allow dimming – all of which can make a classroom more comfortable. Make sure this happens by including it in the school’s purchasing policy, so that each failed light is replaced with an LED equivalent.
- Occupancy sensors: By dimming or switching off lighting when there is nobody in a room occupancy sensors can reduce electricity use by 30%. Discuss adding occupancy sensors to toilets and resource rooms that only have occasional use.
- Daylight sensors: You can reduce your electricity use by up to 40% by adjusting the artificial lighting according to the amount of natural light in a room using daylight sensors or photocells.
- Maintenance plan: By regularly cleaning windows and skylights you can reduce the need for artificial light. Cleaning the fixtures that contain lamps, known as luminaires, will improve their performance.
(Links above take you to our Actions that will give your Business Manager more information and guidance about these activities.)
Your teachers can also play a part in this:
- Decluttering around windows: Clear posters and resources from around windows to maximise the amount of natural light getting into classrooms.
For replacing all the lights in a school, some grants and green financing schemes are available.