Schools play a vital role in their communities – help yours lead the way, by taking action to cut your energy use.
Download our Schools Energy Efficiency Checklist and start your energy efficiency journey.
Schools energy and carbon reduction checklist
This checklist is intended to be used as a general overview of actions to be taken.
Incorporating energy efficiency practices within schools is an important step towards building a sustainable future. Our easy-to-use checklist provides a valuable resource for educational institutions looking to reduce their carbon footprint, save energy, and inspire environmental responsibility among students. By adopting the checklist’s recommendations and fostering a culture of sustainability, schools can become exemplary models for a greener society.
Look at the full checklist (bottom of page) or just look at this sample of points raised. How many actions has your school implemented yet?
- Compile data on current energy use
- Analyse energy use to identify patterns
- Get the whole picture for buildings, controls, timers
- Set goals
- Communicate with staff, students, and contractors
Don’t forget to communicate your successes
Highlighting the positive environmental impact of your school’s efforts is not only valuable for internal motivation but also serves as a powerful tool for communicating your commitment to the wider community.
Get implementing
Once you have your data at your fingertips, an energy strategy and people on board, it’s time to start on some improvements. Download the full checklist for some small actions with big results.
Next steps
If you are interested in learning more about how we can support you make your school building more efficient, please reach out to us at ACES@caesl.co.uk. Our team of experts will provide you with all the necessary information and guidance to embark on your school’s energy efficiency journey.
If you haven’t already, email energy.team@oxfordshire.gov.uk who can provide you with online access to your energy data and discuss metering options if you do not have a smart meter already installed.
Full checklist
Use this checklist to understand how your school uses energy and identify simple ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions.
You do not need to do everything at once. Start with small changes, then build towards longer-term improvements.
1. Understand your energy use
You need a clear picture of how much energy your school uses before you can make improvements.
- Know your annual electricity and fuel use (in kWh)
- Know your energy costs, including cost per kWh
- Record meter readings regularly
- Know your annual carbon emissions (CO₂e)
Use actual data where possible, not estimates.
Many schools can monitor electricity use online through Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).
2. Review and monitor regularly
Checking your energy use regularly helps you spot patterns and take action.
- Check your energy data at least once a month
- Compare usage across months and seasons
- Look at energy use when the building is closed
- Identify unusual spikes or waste
3. Find quick energy-saving actions
Small changes can reduce energy use quickly without major investment.
- Turn off lights, screens and equipment when not in use
- Reduce heating in unused rooms
- Check heating and cooling timers are set correctly
- Make sure windows and doors are closed when heating is on
These actions can deliver quick savings and build awareness across staff and pupils.
4. Improve how the building is used
Energy use often depends on how buildings are managed day to day.
- Align heating and lighting with actual school hours
- Reduce energy use during holidays and weekends
- Review how different areas of the building are used
5. Plan longer-term improvements
Once you understand your energy use, you can plan bigger changes.
- Set targets for reducing energy and carbon
- Identify opportunities to upgrade equipment or buildings
- Use your data to support funding or investment cases