Westholme School has achieved annual savings of £15,530, with another £4,500 of savings in the pipeline, after reducing energy and water usage across its five sites in Blackburn.

The independent school, which includes a mixed nursery, Lower School, separate girls’ and boys’ Middle Schools, a girls’ Upper School and sixth form, has been a member of Groundwork Pennine Lancashire’s Resource Efficiency Club for just under a year.

A local adviser carried out a full on-site resource efficiency review at the independent school in December 2009 and identified a range of opportunities for improving environmental performance.

Energy and water savings

The school has reduced its annual costs by £15,000 and saved 162 tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year through a number of low-cost energy efficiency measures.

Seven-day timers have been installed on vending machines, water coolers and water heaters, to avoid them being left on constantly.  A gas-powered radiant heating system in the Upper School sports hall has also been fitted with a timer to ensure that it is only used while classes are being held.

Four old boilers have been replaced with two energy-efficient alternatives and surplus, energy-intensive water heaters have been removed.

A switch-of campaign has been implemented to encourage staff and pupils to switch off electronic equipment, heaters and lights when they are not in use.

In addition, the school is saving over £1,000 a year and reducing water usage by 480 m³ annually, thanks to new 'Save-a-Flush' devices fitted in 100 toilet cisterns. The water-saving equipment was provided free of charge by United Utilities and reduces the volume of water used per flush by one litre.

In the pipeline

Further opportunities to reduce energy bills have been identified from an infra-red thermal imaging survey, which showed areas where the school’s roof insulation could be improved.

Future initiatives also include the installation of low-energy lighting in the Upper School and a new pool cover to reduce heat loss from its swimming pool.

The school is also investigating options for installing renewable energy technology on site.

Groundwork Pennine Lancashire is a key partner in the ENWORKS resource efficiency network, which provides free support to SMEs of all sectors, across the North West.
 

Posted 27 October 2010