Hillcrest Normal School (Schools Energy Audit Programme)
This year we were one of ten schools who were fortunate to receive a free energy audit thanks to a grant from the WEL Trust. I wanted to thank you for what has been a very positive learning experience for the school at a time when we are having to “cut our cloth” and think more and more about how we can reduce costs and conserve of power.
As an enviro school we have 560 students who are our agents for conservation on the school site. The recommendations and the identified potential cost savings provided in the report have been the impetus for us to make immediate changes which the students have implemented. They have designed switch off signs which are placed beside all computers.
We have instigated a check system that lights and heating are switched off. We are currently pricing the under floor insulation for 2 rooms and hope to have that in place before the end of the year. Other more costly items such as timer switches and fresh air recover systems for one block are to be put into our property plan for the next few years.
We are most interested in the possibility of an electricity buying group for the Hamilton schools. It seems ridiculous each school making their own arrangement.
I hope you will consider making more funding available through the Trust to enable other schools to have the benefits of an audit.
I would also like to suggest that the findings and recommendations from the 10 schools be compiled into a single impact record which could be presented to the Ministry of Education so that they are able to support and recommend best practice in energy conservation by putting them as suggestions or case studies on their website. This is a new endeavour for all of us and we can learn well from each other.
I was impressed by the way Malcolm Souness was able to tailor solutions that were specific to our site and circumstances.
Thank you from Hillcrest Normal School and Board of Trustees.
Irene Cooper
Principal
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