Reading, writing, and energy conservation? A lesson in saving energy is valuable at any age, but the early years are a great time to instill sustainable energy-saving habits that can last a lifetime.
Now that school is officially back in session, energy use at school will certainly be on the rise. Air conditioning and heating, lighting, and electronics all require a lot of electricity, but there are many ways to conserve energy throughout the day while maintaining a comfortable environment.
With a little guidance, students, teachers and administrators can earn an “A+” while saving energy in classrooms this Fall.
- Opt for natural light rather than electrical light when appropriate or consider light sensors and timers to cut back on energy use.
- Replace outdated lighting systems with LED lighting, which produces less heat and keeps buildings cooler.
- Turn off all lights and electronics when not in use and/or at the end of the school day.
- Schedule regular HVAC system maintenance and replace it with new energy-saving versions when the time comes.
- Use energy-saving power strips to mitigate standby power use to better conserve energy on a day-to-day basis.
- Check for high-energy-consuming electronics throughout the school and replace them as needed.
- Assign an energy monitor in each classroom to set reminders for daily conservation tasks. Each student can take a turn serving as the weekly energy watchdog.
Don’t forget to reinforce these lessons at home throughout the school year with a few energy-efficient reminders:
- Always turn off the lights when leaving a room.
- Conserve more water daily by setting a time limit on baths and showers.
- Unplug devices (phones, tablets, gaming consoles, etc.) at night – and before leaving for school in the morning.
- Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows as the temperatures decrease.
- Keep outside doors closed to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.
- Replace light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting.
- Conduct an energy assessment in your children’s bedrooms to ensure vents are not blocked and all air leaks are sealed. And don’t forget the solar-powered nightlight!
If you’re interested in more tips, explore this fun and educational online video lesson in energy conservation for grades K-12 from the National Theatre for Children.
Sources: National Theater for Children
