With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, we know you’re juggling plenty of festive activities. But taking a moment to review your energy-saving practices can make a big difference. A small investment of time now can lead to significant energy savings while your school site is closed.

Our hibernation checklist highlights five key areas to check before the break, ensuring your school powers down efficiently and sustainably.

1. Lighting

Ensure all internal and external lighting is switched off. For lights controlled by Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) or automatic timers, double-check their settings to prevent unnecessary energy usage.

2. Heating systems

Turn off all heat emitters such as radiators, electric heaters and fan convectors, or set them to frost protection mode. Put your boilers into holiday mode and switch off any water heaters to avoid heating unused spaces.

3. Air conditioning and ventilation

Switch off air conditioning units and ventilation systems. Server rooms may be the exception should they require constant cooling, so consult your IT team for guidance on these areas.

4. IT and office equipment

Power down all IT equipment at the socket to avoid standby energy usage. This includes:

• Laptops and computers
• Monitors and interactive whiteboards
• Televisions and display screens
• Printers and photocopiers

5. Vending machines

Empty vending machines of any perishables and switch them off at the power socket.

Why it matters

Implementing our hibernation checklist will not only save energy and cuts costs but also reduce your school’s carbon footprint. Small steps, like powering down appliances and optimising system settings, can make a big difference over time.

Before the holidays, assign colleagues to check each area on the list to ensure nothing is overlooked. With a little preparation, your school can return after the break to a more sustainable and cost-effective environment.

Make this holiday season more sustainable

By taking the time to follow our hibernation checklist, your school can avoid unnecessary energy use, save costs and reduce its carbon footprint—all while enjoying a well-deserved festive break. Small actions today will lead to significant savings and a greener future.

If you’d like tailored advice on optimising your energy efficiency or achieving your school’s sustainability goals, our team is here to help.

Let’s discuss how we can support your journey.