How to Save Energy at School

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How schools use energy

With computers, smartboards, and personal devices constantly in use, it’s unsurprising that schools across the U.S. use a lot of electricity. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates education buildings accounted for 13% of electricity used in commercial buildings in 2018.

Understanding how educational buildings use electricity can make it easier to lower usage. The most energy-intensive aspect of schools is space heating, according to the EIA. Cooling, lighting, and ventilation were also among the top energy-consuming segments in schools.

With nearly 100,000 public schools nationwide, the education sector continues to account for a large portion of electricity usage. However, there are several ways to lower energy consumption in the classroom. By getting your students in on the action and incorporating energy-saving techniques in lesson plans, you’re one step closer to minimizing your carbon footprint. Take note, implement, and share the following energy-saving ideas in your classroom.

Energy-saving ideas for schools

There are a variety of simple ways to save energy at school. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or student, you can use the following tips to lower your school’s power consumption and reduce the carbon footprint in your community.

1. Turn off personal devices

From smartphones to laptops, students and teachers are on their gadgets all day long. If your school allows students to use their personal devices, encourage your class to turn on power-saving mode and wait to charge until they get home. While smartphones and tablets normally don’t use a lot of energy, these products still need electricity to charge. If students can keep their device turned off or in power-saving mode while at school, they can help to save energy since they won’t need to recharge as often.

2. Turn off lights in empty rooms

Switching the lights off when you leave the classroom may seem simple, but it’s a task that many people forget. Remind your students to turn off any lights when a room is empty. You can also set a reminder on your phone to remind yourself to turn off your classroom lights at the end of the day. Another option would be to switch to motion-detecting lights which turn off automatically when the room is empty.

Your school could also switch to LED bulbs and dramatically cut down on energy usage. According to the EIA, LED lights use 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. Switching to LEDs is not only a smart conservation decision, but a good financial one as well.

3. Unplug devices when they aren’t in use

Overhead projectors, televisions, computers, and smartboards continue to use small amounts of energy if left plugged in, even if they’re not in use. If a device has a remote or display light, it’s slowly but surely using electricity, even when it’s powered off. This kind of energy usage is commonly called vampire energy. Unplug these devices when they’re not in use to help lower energy usage in school.

4. Use power strips and timers to turn things on and off

If unplugging lights, devices, or anything that uses the school’s electricity connection is hard to remember, you can use timers and power strips to do the work for you. Electric outlet timers are found at most discount retailers across the nation, and can run around $3 to $25 per device, depending on the kind you prefer. Plug the timer into the wall, then the device into the timer, and set when to turn on and turn off the device. It’s a simple energy-saving method that you won’t have to think about once it’s set.

Power strips are another method to make it easy to lower energy usage at school. Plug devices into the power strip and the power strip into the electrical outlet in your classroom. At the end of the day, you can unplug the power strip, completely disconnecting everything from the outlet. Some power strips also come with built-in timers, to minimize your mental load.

5. Keep your classroom door closed

Heating and cooling are two of the most energy-consuming factors in schools. The cost to heat and cool an entire school can be monumental, especially during the winter and summer when electricity rates are often higher. Keeping classroom or exterior doors open lets climate-controlled air escape, making the AC and heat work overtime. By keeping doors closed, you can cut down on HVAC energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

6. Invest in solar energy

Solar panels have become more common nationwide for both residential and commercial buildings. Many schools have expansive rooftops that are prime real estate for solar panels. If your school installs rooftop solar, classrooms can run off of solar energy instead of electricity from the power grid. This would lower the overall demand on the power grid and reduce the amount your school pays for electricity each month.

7. Empower your students

If you’re an educator or administrator working in a school, encourage your students to search for ways to cut down on energy use. Saving energy is a great way to lower energy costs, but it’s also important for the environment and can help to slow the effects of global warming. Incorporate the importance of saving energy at school into your lesson plans and keep the conversation going throughout the school year. With some creativity and small changes, your school can cut down on energy usage and make a positive environmental impact in your community.