We are committed to reducing our running costs as well as reducing our impact on the environment. The council has a target to reduce energy usage by 10 per cent by 2023 based on a baseline year of 2017/2018.
Our commitment
The council owns and operates many buildings across the borough and it is crucial that these buildings are run as efficiently as possible. This means eliminating all energy wastage and ensuring energy is used in the most efficient ways possible.
We are carrying out many projects to reduce our energy usage. The projects are wide ranging from improving our monitoring systems to upgrading our light bulbs. We collect and monitors half hourly energy consumption data by automatic meter reading (AMR)/ SMART meters to help reduce wastage and identify efficiency improvements.
The School estate
The council's schools represent a large proportion of the council's energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
The three main areas are:
- heating,
- lighting and
- IT equipment.
Since schools need to keep their costs down, limit their effects on the environment and educate their pupils; energy reduction can be a great way to achieve these aims.
A good first step for schools is to ensure that they are an active member of Eco Schools http://www.eco-schools.org.uk. This free programme will help the school understand its environmental responsibilities and get the whole school involved.