Buildings
JOURNEY INFORMATION
This page outlines your buildings eco-journey and is here to help you stay determined and on track! It contains detailed actions that you and your nursery setting can take at every step of your journey towards sustainability (including ways to share the message).
If you haven’t already, visit the Eco wheel page which will give you step by step instructions on utilising the information available on this site, in the most logical order!
If you’re one step ahead and ready to get going with your journey docs, either follow the stages one-by-one by scrolling down and reading the steps in order, or use the menu to the left to jump to your desired stage!
Next step: Getting familiar with the Buildings impact docs!
Alternatively, to view the downloadable PDF version of this content select the link below
No Priority for the environment
If you are at this stage…..
Below is a description of a setting at the beginning of its eco-journey which currently has No Priority for the Environment in terms of building alterations and energy use.
- Electrical energy is obtained from various sources including fossil fuels.
- Building energy efficiency does not align with the latest standards.
- Electrical appliances are used without consideration of their environmental impact.
If you are at this stage…..
Some Consideration for the environment
In-House Actions
Below is a description of a setting which qualifies for the stage: Some Consideration for the Environment, in terms of building alterations and energy use.
Energy
Energy Supply
- Switch to a green energy supplier which only uses renewable sources. This is the key action here, as it is extremely important to achieve. If you are not the decision maker, you may need to discuss this with landlords etc.
- If you are already ‘in contract’ with a previous supplier, you can proceed to work on items below this, whilst waiting for a switch over date.
Building
- Make sure heating is set to turn on and off at appropriate times.
- If you have a hot water tank, make sure that the thermostat is set between 60-65°C. This is the optimum temperature range to save energy whilst preventing the growth of harmful bacteria (e.g. legionella).
- Fit free-flow curtains, in all external doorways if doors remain open.
Sharing the Message
Colleague Engagement
Pedagogy & Curricula
Parents & Community
Energy
Workplace changes are shared with staff to enhance their understanding of environmental issues and encourage them to source home electricity from green sources and suppliers.
Building
Workplace changes are shared with staff to enhance their understanding of environmental issues.
Pedagogy & Curricula
Energy
Children learn where energy comes from (see poster) and can distinguish between good and bad sources.
Building
Children learn about the link between energy sources and heating.
Parents & Community
Energy
Families are educated about environmental issues and parents are encouraged to source their home electricity from green sources and suppliers.
Building
Workplace changes are shared with parents to enhance their understanding of environmental issues.
Improvements making a difference
If you are at this stage….
In-House Actions
Below is a description of a setting which qualifies for the stage: Improvements Making a Difference, in terms of building alterations and energy use.
Building
Heating and Insulation
- If rooms are heated by radiators, install thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).
- To save energy, set TRVs to keep rooms at the lowest comfortable temperature (18 – 21°c).
- Experiment with lower heating temperatures and wearing more layers in the winter.
- Ensure heating is used responsibly and only when necessary e.g. staff are not in T-shirts with windows open, when the heating is on!
- Ensure your heating source (likely a gas boiler) is as efficient as possible.
- Carry out an insulation review.
Energy
Lighting
- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs (LED) which should be switched off when the room is not in use
White goods
- White goods are only used when necessary e.g. washing is dried outdoors rather than by tumble drier, when the weather permits.
- The efficient use of white goods (e.g. eco modes, quick and colder washes) is considered and encouraged.
- Replacement white goods are as energy efficient as possible.
Appliances
- Ensure all devices go into sleep mode when temporarily not in use or switched off entirely when finished with.
Sharing the Message
Colleague Engagement
Pedagogy & Curricula
Parents & Community
Colleague Engagement
Building
Staff are mindful of efficient and responsible building heating and adjust TRVs rather than open windows. Appropriate room temperatures are understood and considered.
Energy
Staff know to switch off electrical appliances when not in use. Energy use is reduced as much as possible, even when it requires more effort– e.g. hand washing dishes, hanging out washing.
Pedagogy & Curricula
Building
Children are encouraged to keep warm by wearing appropriate clothing for their activities.
Energy
Children learn to turn off electrical items when not in use.
Parents & Community
Building
Parents are informed that heating is kept to a moderate level to conserve energy and they are encouraged to do the same at home.
Energy
Parents learn about the importance of reducing energy consumption.
Doing well on your eco journey
If you are this stage…
In-House Actions
Below is a description of a setting which qualifies for the stage: Doing Well on Your Eco Journey, in terms of building alterations and energy use.
Building
Heating and Insulation
- Review what type of heating is used and whether it could be made more efficient by updating the system.
- Make sure all buildings are properly insulated and align with the latest recommended insulation levels (i.e. 270mm of loft insulation.)
Energy
Monitoring
- Install smart meters or appliance monitors to track, monitor and ultimately reduce energy usage.
- Energy reduction targets are set.
White goods
- White goods are used at off-peak times as much as possible. The hours of 4-7pm on weekdays, should be avoided as these are the peak demand hours.
- This should be done even when using a green energy supplier, to reduce the need to install more renewable power generators to meet peak demand.
Appliances
- Switch off all devices which use standby power (computers, printers etc) when not in use i.e. overnight.
Water
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A water meter should be fitted to improve awareness of water usage and subsequently reduce usage.
Sharing the Message
Colleague Engagement
Pedagogy & Curricula
Parents & Community
Colleague Engagement
Workplace changes are shared with staff to enhance their understanding of both insulation and energy reduction. Staff are encouraged to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint at home. Staff understand the long-term benefits of smart meters and energy monitors.
Pedagogy & Curricula
Children learn about ‘energy monsters’ in the building (electrical items that consume large amounts of energy).
Parents & Community
Parents switch to smart meters and understand their energy usage. The steps taken in the workplace regarding both insulation and energy reduction are communicated to parents. This should encourage parents to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint at home.
Gone Fully Green
If you are this stage…
Below is a description of a setting which qualifies for the stage: Gone Fully Green, in terms of building alterations and energy use.
In-House Actions
Building
Heating and insulation
- Heating is supplied from ground or air source heat pumps. All possible aspects of building insulation are up to the latest standards.
- All renovations, extensions and new buildings meet zero-carbon standards.
- Where appropriate fit solar panels to the roof of buildings to decentralise the energy supply and install battery storage to extend the usage of the solar generated power.
Energy
Energy
- No energy is sourced from fossil fuels.
- Electricity is 100% green energy.
Appliances and white goods
- All energy consuming products are only used when necessary, are as energy efficient as possible and are used at off-peak times.
Lighting
- PIR (Passive infrared) sensors are fitted to lighting in rooms that are not in constant use, to ensure the most efficient use of lighting.
Water
-
Water is treated as a valued and limited resource and is not wasted.
Sharing the Message
Colleague Engagement
Pedagogy & Curricula
Parents & Community
Colleague Engagement
Energy
Staff understand the complexities of energy use and share their knowledge.
Water
Staff understand that water is a valuable resource and conserve its use.
Pedagogy & Curricula
Energy
Children understand renewable resources and share their knowledge with friends and family. They understand that we need to reduce our energy consumption.
Water
Children understand that water is a valuable resource and ensure it is not wasted.
Parents & Community
Energy
Parents fit solar panels and battery storage if appropriate. Parents are encouraged to buy energy efficient products.
Water
Parents are educated about the importance of conserving water.