Reducing energy has many advantages for schools including saving money, reducing the carbon emissions and improving the learning and teaching environment for both staff and pupils.

Do you know how much water you are using or wasting? Most of us take water for granted but even though it covers 70% of the earths surface it’s still in short supply in many regions of the world due to climate change and increasing water usage.

Schools provide a superb opportunity for pupils to learn more about responsible energy & water usage, helping them to see the environmental impact of everyday actions.

We have suggested some simple steps to help pupils, parents, teachers and staff work together to improve their energy and water efficiency and raise awareness of important energy & water issues.

Sustainable energy & water projects

Local Authority Energy Financing Scheme (LAEF):

The LAEF scheme is a funding mechanism set up in 2004 by Caerphilly CBC and Salix Finance Ltd. The £800,000 fund can be used to develop energy efficiency projects in non-domestic properties. Each proposed project will provide a considerable carbon dioxide, cost and consumption reduction, and each project will payback within 5 years. The LAEF Loan scheme is interest free and is designed to act as an incentive for all corporate properties to become more energy efficient without immediate financial outlay.

For more information about the LAEF Scheme please contact the Energy & Water Management Team on 01495 235552 or download the leaflet:

Energy Financing Scheme (PDF, 1.1Mb)

Water Hippo’s:

Water Hippo’s are a simple low cost water saving device to help conserve water in toilet cisterns. Every time the toilet is flushed the hippo saves about 3 litres of water. Most toilets will flush just as effectively with less water.

You can either purchase water hippos or make your own in school.

Welsh Water Education Centre, Cilfynydd:

The award winning environmental education centre at Cilfynydd has fully equipped indoor and outdoor classrooms, managed by a seconded key stage 2 teacher. Facilities include wildlife ponds, nature trails, the river Taff studies and tours of the Waste Water Treatment Works.

Primary schools can visit the site to experience pond dipping, minibeast safari, plant study and classroom experiments, all linked to the National Curriculum.

For more information visit: dwrcymru.com or contact Cilfynydd Environmental Education Centre on 01443 492720

Sustainable Energy & Water Support & Advice

For support and advice on sustainable energy & water efficiency in the Caerphilly County Borough please contact:

Ceri Williams, Energy & Water Officer, CCBC
Tel: 01495 863332, Email: WILLIAC1@caerphilly.gov.uk

Paul Rossiter, Energy & Water Officer, CCBC
Tel: 01495 863327, Email: ROSSIP@caerphlly.gov.uk

Resource Boxes

Check out the resource boxes on the Sustainable Resources page to find out what resource boxes are available to support your school grounds projects in school.

Case Studies

Cwrt Rawlin Primary School – Energy Eco Day (PDF, 71Kb)

Top Tips for sustainable energy & water efficiency

Monitor your water and energy meters
Fix dripping taps
Use a water butt to collect rainwater to use in the school garden
Fit spray taps or push taps
Turn off taps when they are not being used
Appoint energy and/ or water monitors
Undertake an energy and water audit
Run a ‘switch off’ ‘turn it off’ campaign to encourage everyone to use less energy and water
Investigate water usage in other countries
Calculate your schools carbon footprint, visit carbontrust.co.uk/footprintcalculator

Funding

The Energy & Water Funding Information (PDF, 44Kb) document will provide you with details of grants, awards and offers available to support your ESDGC project.