Reducing energy consumption is a critical step toward building a more sustainable school and combating climate change. This START metric focuses on implementing strategies to minimize energy use, such as improving energy efficiency, adopting energy conservation practices, and fostering behavior changes across the school community. Lower energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves costs, and sets an example of environmental responsibility for students and staff.
Globally, buildings account for 28% of energy-related CO₂ emissions (IEA). By prioritizing energy reduction strategies, schools can significantly decrease their carbon footprint while reinvesting savings into educational and sustainability initiatives. Creating a culture of energy efficiency also equips students with practical knowledge about resource stewardship and climate solutions.
Strategies for Reducing Energy Consumption
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Conduct an Energy Audit
Identify energy inefficiencies across campus, such as outdated lighting, HVAC systems, or poorly insulated areas.
Use audit findings to prioritize areas for energy-saving upgrades.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LEDs, which use up to 75% less energy and last significantly longer.
Install motion sensors and timers to automatically turn off lights when rooms are not in use.
Optimize Heating and Cooling Systems
Regularly maintain HVAC systems to ensure peak efficiency.
Use programmable thermostats to adjust temperatures based on occupancy schedules.
Improve Building Insulation
Seal windows, doors, and ducts to prevent energy loss.
Add or upgrade insulation in walls, roofs, and floors to reduce heating and cooling demands.
Implement Energy Conservation Practices
Encourage students and staff to power down electronics and unplug devices when not in use.
Promote the use of natural light and ventilation to reduce reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning.
Incorporate Smart Technology
Install smart meters to monitor real-time energy use and identify areas for improvement.
Use energy management systems to optimize building performance and reduce waste.
Transition to Renewable Energy
Install solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy systems to offset energy use.
Explore opportunities for purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to support green energy production.
Engage the School Community
Launch energy-saving challenges or campaigns to involve students and staff in conservation efforts.
Provide workshops or assemblies to educate the school community about the importance of energy efficiency.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Replace old appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified models that use less energy and water.
Consolidate underutilized appliances, such as refrigerators or printers, to reduce energy waste.
Create Energy Policies and Goals
Develop school-wide energy policies, such as no-idling zones or after-hours energy-saving protocols.
Set measurable reduction goals, such as a 10% decrease in energy use over the next year, and track progress.
Integrate Energy Reduction into Curriculum
Include lessons on energy conservation and climate change in science, math, or social studies classes.
Involve students in monitoring energy use and brainstorming innovative solutions.
Monitor and Report Progress
Track energy use regularly to measure reductions and identify further opportunities for improvement.
Share progress with the school community to build support and celebrate successes.
‘How To’ Guides
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Energy Efficiency Treasure Hunt
From Energy STAR, a checklist to conduct an energy efficiency treasure hunt at your school.
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Building Upgrade Manual
From Energy Star, an outline of challenges & opportunities, technical recommendations, financial and implementation issues, to help you plan for energy efficiency..
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A Guide for Energy Efficiency Programs in K-12 Schools
EPA's guide to developing & implementing energy efficiency programs in K-12 schools.
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Clean Energy Campaign Toolkit for Districts
From Sierra Club, a toolkit to help you successfully run a campaign that will build support from decision-makers and policy influencers for a transition to renewable energy.
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How to Use Portfolio Manager
Energy Star’s free Portfolio Manager is an interactive online resource management tool that enables you to benchmark your school’s energy performance, prioritize efficiency measures, and verify energy reductions in buildings.
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Powering Down: Behavior-Based Energy Conservation Toolkit
From the US Center for Green Schools, a toolkit for behavior-based energy conservation in K-12 Schools.
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8 Steps to a Zero-Energy Ready School
"A Guide to Zero-Energy & Zero-Energy Ready K-12 Schools" was developed as part of DOE's Zero Energy Schools Accelerator (ZESA), this guide outlines 8 steps to creating a Zero Energy school. Access resource here.
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12 Tips for Energy Management in Schools
From SchoolDude, a white paper on reducing energy consumption in schools.
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Low-Carbon Strategies for Schools
From the US Department of Energy's Better Buildings program, simple, intermediate and advanced strategies to reduce carbon emissions.
For Primary Schools
For Rural Schools
For Kitchens
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K-12 Lighting Toolkit
The U.S Department of Energy provides a K-12 Lighting Toolkit showing how K-12 schools can save up to 50% on energy use if they optimize their lighting equipment and operations!
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Case Studies: Zero-Energy Schools
From the Getting to Zero Forum, these fantastic case studies of zero-energy and ultra low-energy schools include:
Basic school profiles
Planning & Design Approaches
Strategies & features
Costs & savings
Lessons learned
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Energy Audit (6th-12th grade)
From Grades of Green, fantastic Energy Audit resources for students in grades 6-12.
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Energy Efficiency Student Toolkit
From Energy Star, a toolkit to empower students with tools & resources to improve their school's energy management program, from benchmarking, to behavior-change.
Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.