Energy is fundamental to the way we live our life today. Electricity is an amazing resource and should be used efficiently both at home and in school. Here are a few tips to help you use energy more efficiently and save money too;
Turn Off the Lights!
Don't leave lights on when no-one is in the room. In school put stickers on light switches to remind everyone to turn off the lights at the end of class.
Use energy efficient light bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). These bulbs use ¼ of electricity as normal light bulbs and last up to 12 times longer!
Turn Off Appliances!
Turn off your TV, stereo, playstation, computer, washing machine, DVD and other appliances when they are not in use. Leaving appliances on stand-by uses energy so remember to switch them off.
Put stickers on photocopiers, computers and other appliances in school to remind everyone to turn them off.
Turn Down the Heat!
Turning the thermostat down by 1°C can reduce your heating bills by 10%.
Remember to turn off radiators in school after 12noon unless it is an exceptionally cold day.
Close your curtains at dusk as curtains block cold air coming in.
Check all windows and doors to see where draughts are coming in. If you identify draughts get your parents or teachers to seal them up. Why don't you try and make a draught excluder using old clothes!
Turn Off the Taps!
A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
Turn off taps - wasting water wastes electricity as a huge amount of electricity is used daily in supplying water and cleaning it after use.
Bright Ideas!
Review the energy your school uses by carrying out an energy audit.
Become an ‘energy monitor' and monitor the energy use in your school on a weekly or monthly basis.
Research renewable energy and new technologies for your home.