Cheshire headteachers could save £1m on energy bills by making schools more efficient

Jun 19 2009 Chester Chronicle

HEADTEACHERS in Cheshire could wipe a massive £1m off school energy bills by making their schools more efficient, the Carbon Trust announced.

Reducing energy wastage would also reduce Cheshire schools’ carbon dioxide emissions by 7,000 tonnes.

“Headteachers, parents and governors alike are always seeking ways to make the school budget go further. Cutting energy use is a highly effective way to free-up those funds, while engaging the school community in the fight against climate change,” said Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust.

These figures were revealed at the launch of a new Carbon Trust campaign encouraging headteachers to realise the potential savings in their school budgets and tackle climate change at the same time.

The Carbon Trust has also launched a tailored service designed to help headteachers to identify and implement the right energy saving projects for their schools quickly and easily.

The service is free of charge and comprises an on-site school assessment by a carbon consultant, followed up by a bespoke report and action plan.

It is available to schools and colleges in England and Wales with energy bills in excess of £50,000.

The Carbon Trust estimates that most schools can save around 20% on their energy bills by improving insulation, heating and lighting and involving teachers and students in energy saving activities.

Its schools campaign follows the recent Government announcement that over £50 million in interest-free loans are now available to public sector organisations, including state schools, to fund energy saving and carbon reduction projects.

The loans are available through the Carbon Trust and Salix Finance.

Independent schools can also apply for financial support through the Carbon Trust’s interest-free Energy Efficiency loans at www.carbontrust.co.uk/schools

To date, the Carbon Trust has worked with over 700 secondary schools and further education colleges across the country, for which it has identified energy savings of around £16 million and carbon emissions savings of 119,000 tonnes annually.