EnergyEnergy

Lighting Lights use electricity. In Scoil Mhuire we try toensure that this energy is not used in a wastefulmanner.

All lights in our school operate on a sensor systemand switch off if no movement is detected.

The lights adjust to outside daylight.

All lights in toilets have motion timed sensors.

The perimeter security lights are 8W and arecontrolled by a photocell.

We encourage that lights are switched off whenleaving the room and if they are not necessarywhen in the room.

A member of the Energy Squad in each classroomis responsible for switching off classroom lightswhen they are not necessary.

Signs with our NRG Moose are placed on the lightswitches in shared areas to remind us to switchthem off when finished.

Our Code is “C.B.S., hear our shout. Don’tforget the lights go out!”

Light sensor on a classroom ceiling

Electrical AppliancesElectrical appliances use electricity evenwhen in stand-by. We try to prevent this powerbeing wasted. This saves our school money andhelps the environment.

Each class has an Energy Squad member whois responsible for ensuring electrical appliancesare switched off when they are not in use and atthe end of the day.

We have a “Switch it off. Plug it out” policy toeliminate the “red-eye”.

During the day, we switch off the computermonitors when the computers are not in use.

Our photocopier has an energy saver mode.

We record our meter readings and try to beat our

previous results.

Our Code is “You switch it off. You plug it out. That’s what it’s all about.”

Our meter gives us separate day and night readings

HeatingOriginally our school heating used oil. Oil is anon-renewable source of energy. We now havea biomass system. This system uses woodpellets, a renewable source of energy.

The G.P. area, used by the public at night, hasits own programme which can be setautomatically. This means that just the area inuse, and not the whole school, is heated.

All classrooms and corridors have pre-setthermostats. The heating controls adaptautomatically to outside temperatures.

All outer doors have slow closing hinges. Somehave p.v.c. porches. We keep outer doors shutto prevent heat loss.

Our old windows have been replaced by double-glazing and fit tightly. We do not put classroomfurniture in front of radiators as this would blockthe heat.

If we are leaving our classroom to go to lunch orthe gym, we close the classroom door. Ifwindows are left open to ventilate the classroom,radiators are switched off.

All windows and doors are closed at home-timeand the blinds drawn during cold weather.

Our Code is “Keep the school sweet. Save our heat.” NRG Moose reminds us to shut doors inshared areas.

Our biomass boiler

Wood pellets for the biomass heating system

W.E.E.E.The Green Schools Committee took part inan initiative organised by W.E.E.E.

A representative came to our school for aday and gave a workshop to all classes inthe school.

After the talk, we had a W.E.E.E.Recycling Day and collected two bins fullof electrical appliances. We had hoped tofill just one!

We received a reconditioned P.C. as areward for our efforts.

Filling the bins with unwanted electrical appliances

S.E.I.We are a designated flagship project for

biomass heating systems.

We have been given a plaque by S.E.I.

for this.

The plaque is on the wall beside the front

door.

Go to www.tes.ie/portfolio/educational.html

to read more about our biomass heating

system.

Plaque from SEI

Energy RatingOur school underwent an energy efficiency

assessment.

We received an energy rating of B3.

This was a fantastic result as our school is

over 50 years old.

Low Energy DayLow Energy Day is held every year in our school.

Theaim is to make us more aware that we take instant energy for granted and to help us realise the amountof energy used by our school on a daily basis.

On Low Energy Day, we switch off lights (and hopefor a bright day).

We switch off all electrical appliances (except thoseused by the office).

Some teachers bring flasks of tea!! No kettlesallowed….

The photocopier gets a well-deserved break.

It’s back to the past. No interactive whiteboard orcomputers for the day! School as it was in ourparents’ time.

At rest, we use the same amount of energy as a 20Wlightbulb! Imagine what we use when we’re active.

Some of the reminder signs for Low Energy Day

NRG MooseMeet our NRG Moose.

During Green Week, the Green SchoolsCommittee organised some competitions.One was to design an energy mascot forour school.

We had lots of creative and imaginativeentries. This is the winning entry and wasdesigned by a sixth class student.

You’ll find NRG Moose on signs aroundour school.

He reminds us to shut doors, to switch offlights and to plug out appliances.

Our mascot, NRG Moose