Schools lighting the way to energy saving

Several cost conscious schools are now reaping the benefits of upgrading their lighting to low energy LED (light emitting diode) lamps.

These lamps can reduce lighting electricity use by up to 70% and with a longer lifetime means less maintenance too. The lamps can improve lighting levels and on average these projects pay for themselves within 5-7 years.

Some of the schools who have recently invested in this technology are:

• The Churchill School, Folkestone (shortlisted for the Ashden Awards)
• Dymchurch Primary School
• Swadelands School, Lenham
• Northborough Primary School, Maidstone
• The Discovery School
• Simon Langton Boys Grammar School.

These schools have taken the opportunity to spread the cost of these projects by using the Kent invest-to-save energy efficiency fund. This fund pays for the cost of the project and the school agrees a repayment plan based on the savings on energy. This fund is administered by the Council and part funded by Salix Finance, a government funded organisation working with schools.

The combined cost of lower energy bills and the repayments is calculated so it does not exceed your current energy bills. Since the start of the fund, 46 school projects have been completed with estimated lifetime savings of £1.8 million, an average of £40,000 per school.

If you are interested in LED lighting or other energy saving projects please contact us to discuss. We are happy to visit you and can also organise no obligation quotes. We can also advise Academies how to access funding direct with Salix Finance.

If you have been contacted by another organisation offering you Salix funding for energy efficiency projects, please act with caution, we recommend you contact us first to discuss the offer.

Please contact us if you would like more information. Send your enquiries to Steve Baggs by email at steven.baggs@kent.gov.uk.