Hiring out school facilities to external organisations, present an opportunity to optimise energy efficiency while generating a sustainable income. In this blog article, we'll explore how your school can effectively run lettings while prioritising energy efficiency, ultimately contributing to both environmental sustainability and financial stability.

1.     Conduct an energy audit

Before embarking on any energy efficiency initiatives, conducting a comprehensive energy audit of your school's facilities is crucial. This audit will provide valuable insights into current energy consumption patterns and highlight areas for improvement. Engaging an energy management professional such as Zenergi can help identify opportunities to reduce energy waste, optimise equipment performance, and identify potential cost savings.

2.     Invest in energy-saving infrastructure

Upgrading outdated infrastructure and investing in energy-efficient technologies should be a key consideration when managing school lettings. Implementing measures such as LED lighting, smart heating and cooling systems, and motion-sensor controls can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. These upgrades not only improve energy efficiency for your school but also enhance the overall experience for external organisations using your facilities.

3.     Time-sensitive scheduling

Efficient scheduling of school lettings can help minimise energy waste. A consideration to group bookings together to avoid frequent heating, cooling, or lighting adjustments between each session is beneficial. For example, hosting two badminton court bookings together given the room is already being heated for the first booking will create substantial heating cost savings.

4.     Educate external organisations

Promoting energy-conscious practices among external organisations using your school facilities is crucial. Provide guidelines and resources to educate them on sustainable energy practices. Encourage practices such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use, managing heating and cooling responsibly, and promoting recycling and waste reduction.

5.     Carbon net zero goals

In line with global efforts to combat climate change, setting a goal of carbon neutrality should be a key consideration when running school lettings. Take proactive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption, transportation, and waste management. This may include offsetting carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon credits or investing in local renewable energy projects. Collaborate with external organisations and stakeholders to collectively work towards carbon neutrality and establish your school as a leader in sustainable practices. By striving for carbon net zero, not only will you contribute to the global fight against climate change, but you will also enhance your school's reputation and attract environmentally conscious organisations to your lettings program.

Running school lettings efficiently while prioritising energy efficiency is both an environmental imperative and an opportunity for financial stability. By implementing one or all of the above practices, you can strike a balance between income generation and energy-conscious decision-making. As we navigate the ongoing energy crisis, school lettings can be an avenue for positive change, contributing to a more sustainable future for schools and communities alike.

To find out more about Vivify and how we can help, contact support@vivifyvenues.com or call us on 0161 694 0111.