Cut costs, cut carbon

Reducing the energy we use

Schools consume large amounts of energy, which is expensive. These are the five steps you can take to reduce it and save money.

1. Monitor what you use.
2. Engage the interest of staff and pupils.
3. Use the 'off' switch.
4. Consider more efficient systems and equipment.
5. Consider renewable sources of energy.

For more information read our overview (PDF, 861k). 

See the slides from our recent Schools Energy Efficiency training days (PDF, 1.4mb)

Invest-to-save funding

Kent County Council can provide interest free loans for energy-efficiency projects.

Loans are available for energy efficiency projects with a payback of seven years or less. The loan is interest-free, is paid for from the energy savings and will cover the cost of the equipment and any related installation fees. Projects which may qualify are intelligent lighting controls, insulation, draughtproofing, upgrading boiler controls and voltage optimisation technology. Find out more about projects (PDF, 110k).

If you would like to know more about the funding available, please contact us by email on kent.ecoschools@kent.gov.uk. 

Loose Infants (near Maidstone) used money from the Energy and Water Investment Fund to trial Solaveil solar film. Read their case study (PDF, 277k).

Ashford Oaks Primary School used money from the fund to buy new lighting controls. Read their case study (PDF, 433k).

Mascalls School in Paddock Wood used money from the fund to buy new heating and lighting controls. Read the case study (PDF, 728k).

Sittingbourne Community College installed voltage optimisation technology in 2010 with immediate reductions in electricity of almost 10 per cent. Read their case study (PDF, 352k).

Simon Langton Boy's Grammar School have used the Investment fund to draught-proof their main school building. Read their case study (PDF, 292k).

Renewable energy

Some Kent schools have installed solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot water panels or wind turbines. Read the case studies about two of them; Eastchurch Church of England Primary School (PDF, 138k) and Claremont Primary School (PDF, 112k).

Read our information sheet about Wind Turbines (PDF, 184k)

Please note that Kent County Council's grants for renewable energy installations have been fully allocated. If you are approached by a company offering free electricity generating equipment in return for the new Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments, take care and get advice from Kent County Council's Property Team by email on buildingmaintenance.enquiries@kent.gov.uk.

Have a look at the Photovoltaic FiT Advice sheet.

Kent County Council have been working with Climate Energy, previously Creative Environmental Networks (CEN), reviewing school's energy efficiency, and providing training days for these schools. 23 schools have taken part so far.

If your school is interested in an energy efficiency review, please contact us at kent.ecoschools@kent.gov.uk.