• S et up a winning team to oversee the campaign, encourage motivation and maintain progress. Choose members from all areas - teaching and non-teaching staff and students. • S tart regular walk-through tours •A gree upon good housekeeping measures room by room, and explain them to teaching and administrative/support staff and students. •U pdate lists of items that need maintenance, servicing, repair or replacement. • S et priorities for investment. Where there are plans for building retrofits, incorporate energy-saving measures at little extra cost. •H ave teaching staff and students nominate energy monitors to switch off lights, etc. • T alk to teaching staff about direct involvement of older students through curriculum projects. •K eep people informed on progress. Give
staff and students regular feedback through newsletters, posters and other communications items. • Set targets for energy cost savings and/ or CO2 savings. Compare overall performance with best practice benchmarks. • Set up regular and continuous staff training. Conducting a Walk-Through Energy Audit A simple inspection of the school premises can reveal where excess energy use can be avoided. What is a Walk-Through Energy Audit? A walk-through energy audit is a tour of school premises to inspect its energyusage practices. Adapt a checklist to make an organized and thorough inspection of each room and circulation area. Note the following: • where energy is being wasted (i.e., where good housekeeping practices are
not being followed); • where repair or maintenance work is needed; and • where capital investment is needed to improve energy efficiency. When Should You Do a Walk-Through Energy Audit? Aim to audit your school at least twice a year - before the start of the heating season and at the end. If possible, tour more often, e.g., once a month during the heating season. Stagger the times of inspections - at lunchtime, at the close of the school day, during cleaning periods or evening use, on the weekend and even during holidays. What Should You Look For? First, draw a simple block plan of your school. Mark how the school is divided up in zones for heating and lighting. As you make your tour, identify the position of the following:
Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2012
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