Great Acts for Great Lakes

Energy Background - Energy Use and Consumption in Schools

Energy is defined as "the ability to do work."  For example: energy lights our cities. Energy powers our vehicles, trains, planes and rockets. Energy warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, and gives us pictures on television. Energy powers machinery in factories and tractors on a farm.  Everything we do is connected to energy in one form or another. Energy is found in a number of different forms, such as chemical energy, electrical energy, heat (thermal energy), light (radiant energy), mechanical energy, and nuclear energy. As well, nature provides much of the energy we need for light, heat and power.

Some energy is "renewable", which means that when it is used it doesn't deplete the earth's limited resources. Examples of renewable energy are the sun, the wind, water and the earth itself. Trees and other plants can also be a source of renewable energy if they're managed properly.

In many cases, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources reduces emissions of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Solar and wind energy, hydro-electricity (water-generated electricity), tidal power and photovoltaic technologies such as photovoltaic cells, release very little or no pollutants into the atmosphere while the energy is being produced or consumed.

By improving how we use energy today, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help slow climate change - and that's good for our health, the environment and our  future. Students and teachers can contribute by using energy more efficiently at school, at home and on the road. Being energy efficient means being able to satisfy our energy needs today without compromising the resources of tomorrow.  It means using energy in the most economical way possible and keeping its use to a minimum.  Future generations are counting on it.

Energy efficiency can be practiced at home, at school, at work and during recreational activities; in fact, almost anywhere and anytime in our day-to-day activities. This may be as simple as turning off the lights when leaving a room, or bicycling to school instead of asking for a ride.

Where is energy consumed at a school?

Entire school: lighting (indoor and outdoor), heating, air conditioner

Office Areas: lighting, computers, fax machines, photocopiers

Cafeteria/Lunch Room: microwave, dishwasher, stove/oven, toaster, heat lamps, refrigerator, vending machines

Taking Action At School

Some ideas for reducing energy at your school include:

· Turn off machines (computers, printers, photocopiers) during non-use hours.

· Take advantage of natural light or daylight wherever possible.

· Turn off lights when classroom is empty, especially at lunch time and at the end of the day.

· When replacing light bulbs convert to high efficiency fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts.

· Plug holes and caulk windows to prevent heat energy from escaping.

· Use timers, occupancy sensors and dimming controls for lighting where possible.

· Turn off the lights in vending machines.

· Investigate the use of alternative energy sources (wind, solar).

For more ideas visit the Pollution prevention page (link).  Also make sure you visit the Climate Change page for related energy information. 

The following Web sites have interesting information on energy use, consumption and conservation as well as exciting opportunities to learn how to take action for wise energy use.