Schools are typically large buildings that require large amounts of energy to meet students' learning needs. while most of the energy is necessary to maintain safe, comfortable, and interactive learning environments for students, there are ways schools can reduce energy use without affecting students.

which idea will reduce a school's energy usage the most and have the least effect on students?

6. Get Buy-in and Exposure with the School Board and Community at Large

Any successful initiative needs buy-in from above and below. The path to buy-in

from executive leadership is by reporting and building the plan from the top

down.

However, you must implement the plan from the bottom up. Individuals in the

community who must change their behavior need to be educated about the

real stakes involved: the environment, money, the quality of education and the

school community. By providing choices and the opportunity to get involved, you

get everyone to take ownership of the plan.

7. Make the Plan Relevant— and Transparent

What does 10% savings in energy consumption mean to you? Without context—

without relevancy— probably not much. But if that 10% is translated into a new

custodian or security staff, more after school activities or new training equipment for the athletic teams, that 10% is made real. The community can better

rally around these less abstract elements.

One Texas school district’s energy manager described it this way: “If we can

get everyone to shut the lights off right when they leave the classroom, or we

use afternoon natural light in these east-facing classrooms, that will amount

to $65,000 per year in this one elementary school.” Take it one step further and

make it relevant to a teacher’s salary. Doing this can get faculty thinking they

could save a friend’s job by simply turning off the lights. Relevancy goes a

long way.

8. Involve Everyone— Kids, Teachers, Parents

If students believe in the cause, students will get involved. So will teaching staff,

parents and other community members. More people can be drawn into the

energy management program through active training and education. Involving

everyone affiliated with the school translates to greater achievements.

Reward those involved with recognition, praise, and respect. One school created

an energy mascot. It also implemented energy tickets— students were empowered to issue tickets to offending users. The same district sought to reduce solid

waste with a recycling program. Totally student-policed, it became so successful

it was able to cut a $250,000 outside contract for this service in half!

9. Focus on Behavioral Changes

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple behavioral audit. Until wasteful

behaviors are identified, they can’t be changed. Institutions might consider

online utilities where students can see energy consumption of one classroom

versus another in real time. Fostering competition and making responsible

consumption fun are two keys to changing behavior.

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