Low carbon schools could save £738k

A FOUR-year “low carbon” programme involving 45 schools in Warrington could save £738,000 on energy costs.
It would cut carbon emissions from schools by 13 per cent and cut Carbon Reduction Commitment costs by £22,000-a-year on completion of the programme.
A pilot study involving seven primary schools and two high schools over the last year has shown that on average, a primary school could save £2,254 a year at a cost of £8,670, giving a payback period of 3.8 years.
A secondary school could save £26,967 a year at a cost of £113,281, giving a payback period of 4.2 years.
The council’s Climate Change Team and the Children and Young People’s service now want to roll out the programme to 36 schools which, including the pilot year, would mean the council will have worked with 53 per cent of local schools.
To widen the impact of the programme, group support sessions would be opened up to any school wishing to attend.
In April last year, the council’s carbon management scheme was approved, setting a target of achieving a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by April 2015.
The plan identified that schools made up more than 40 per cent of the council’s carbon footprint.
In 2010-2011, schools in Warrington spent some £2.6 million on electricity and gas and from next year, a further £160,000 will be added to this bill by the Carbon Reduction Commitment.
A report to be considered by the borough council’s executive board points out that high energy costs directly affect a school’s ability to make other educational investments.