It's estimated that UK primary schools spend around £31,000 per year on energy. For secondary schools, this total is even higher, coming in at closer to £90,000. Though this massive figure may seem startling, it reflects the complex energy requirements of educational buildings.

From classroom uses like learning technology and computers to school-wide uses like CCTV systems, lighting, and temperature control, every part of a school consumes energy. Think about how many SMART boards a secondary school contains, or how much fuel is required to maintain an electrical central locking system 24/7!

As a vital expense that keeps buildings running, utility costs unsurprisingly make up a large portion of every school's budget.

Cutting Energy Costs In The Education Sector

As a staple of any local community, schools play a foundational role in the lives of young people. There are few more important jobs than educating the next generation.

It's therefore crucial that educational institutions have the resources they need, from water to business gas and electricity. Sometimes this means reducing consumption and increasing efficiency. This is an important task, as making utility savings means more money to put toward students' educations.

If you're a member of staff or your school's governing body in charge of energy, you'll no doubt be looking to reduce your institution's utility bill. You'll be relieved to hear that there are many ways you can do this, from reducing waste to switching energy suppliers.

With Business Energy UK, cutting down your energy bills couldn't be more straightforward.

Why Should UK Schools Switch To A New Energy Contract?

There are measures you can implement to cut your primary or secondary school's energy consumption- these include switching to LED lighting, installing a SMART electricity meter and conducting an energy audit.

But even once you've maximized efficiency by saving energy, your school still has some non-negotiable energy costs. There's no way around paying for central heating in the winter, or for water throughout the building's facilities.

Despite a school's inevitably high consumption, you can still make great energy savings by switching to a new energy supplier or a new contract with the same supplier.

Switching Gas Supplier

Gas is used throughout most schools, from heating every room to powering the kitchen. Left unchecked, your gas bill can accumulate a mountain of overpayment, so it's important to ensure you're not out of pocket by comparing suppliers today.

Here at Business Energy UK, it couldn't be easier to find the lowest deals on the energy market.

Switching Electricity Supplier

Many schools- whether state-run, private or independent- also overpay for their electricity bill because they're on the wrong business electricity tariff, or with the entirely wrong supplier.

If you're in charge of an educational institution's energy tariff, it's worth remembering that you can cut costs massively by simply switching electricity suppliers!

Why Switch With Business Energy UK?

Although switching to a new business energy contract may seem stressful, the process is quick and easy when you use Business Energy UK.

We understand that schools have complex and individualized needs, which is why we take into account all of your school's requirements when comparing tariff options. Whether you're in charge of energy for a small primary school or an entire university campus, we can help implement the major changes that will save you a fortune.

Our customer service team is on hand during office hours to answer all of your questions. When you use our service, we'll help you every step of the way, and get you saving money on your energy bills in no time!

Comparison Service

The primary feature of our site is our comparison search engine. All you have to do is input your business energy needs into our handy comparison tool, and we'll do the hard work of comparing providers and tariffs for you - even taking into account limited-time deals and special offers.

This saves you the stress of comparing contracts yourself. Whatever your role within the school is, we do the leg-work so that you can get back to doing what you love.

We present you with a selection of the best tariffs, focusing on the lowest energy prices in line with your institution's energy usage. You can choose between these deals to find a contract that fits your school perfectly.

Knowledge Hub

Business Energy UK is more than just a comparison site. Our team of energy experts are dedicated to answering all of your questions, no matter how small they may be.

If you're not an industry specialist, understanding electricity-related jargon can be nearly impossible. This is why we've compiled a bank of informative resources in our Knowledge Hub.

If you're trying to figure out what MPAN and MPRN numbers are, how half-hourly meters work or what deemed contracts are, be sure to check out our expert advice today.

Whatever Fuel You Need, We've Got You Covered!

While some comparison sites limit your tariffs to either gas or electricity, we compare both types of energy, as well as dual fuel contract options.

Because they're such large and multi-functional buildings, schools' energy needs can often be complicated. Our team at Business Energy UK understands this better than anyone, which is why we offer great deals that are tailor-made for educational institutions.

Whether you need natural gas, electricity or both to keep your school running, browse our exclusive energy deals to cut costs and improve the student experience for years to come.

Tips For Saving On Your School's Energy Bills

If you're faced with cutting down your school energy bills but don't know where to start- do not fear! There are several ways that schools can reduce their energy bills.

With these tips from Business Energy UK, you'll be saving money in no time.

Reduce Energy Usage

The principal cause of energy over-payment in schools is waste- just think about how much is spent on heating and lighting empty rooms, and on powering unused appliances that don't get switched off at the wall.

An effective way to cut energy costs is to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Ensure that lights are always switched off when a room stops being used, and monitor your heating closely to prevent wasting the gas supply.

Not only will these measures save money, but they'll also reduce your school's carbon footprint. If your staff and students are concerned about the issue of climate change, they will no doubt be behind any green initiative to cut energy consumption.

From installing solar panels to turning off vending machines, going green can make you massive savings in the long run!

Improve Efficiency

Many UK schools are inefficient when it comes to their electricity, due to both old equipment and a general lack of knowledge about energy usage.

To improve efficiency- and get more bang for your buck- consider replacing old tech with modern alternatives, such as the latest whiteboards, projectors and other learning technology. Newer equipment will require less energy to run overall.

After conducting an energy assessment, you can also install smart technology throughout your school to monitor and control your energy use.

From smart electricity meters to intuitive lighting systems, controlling your consumption is a great way of reducing your electricity bill in the medium and long term.

Switch Energy Suppliers

If you've cut consumption but are still paying premium energy prices, it probably means that you're with the wrong energy supplier.

In this situation, switching to a different company is the best option to save money. Different energy providers offer vastly different prices on business gas and electricity. To find the best supplier for your school, browse the utility deals available using Business Energy UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

To improve the energy efficiency of a school, it's best to implement a series of targeted energy-saving measures, which address some of the biggest areas of waste in the building.

These can include:

  • Replacing halogen bulbs with LED lighting, and making sure to turn the lights off when a room is not in use.
  • Installing solar panels, so that you can generate your electricity.
  • Ensure that all windows and doors are protected against draughts and that the roof space is insulated.
  • Install taps that operate on a timer, to save on water waste.
  • Closely monitor the thermostat, to prevent overheating and overpaying for utilities.

Behind the staff wage cost, energy is the second-largest expenditure in primary and secondary schools.

Though exact figures depend on the school, studies show that the average primary school in the UK consumes 119 kWh per m² per year. 1/4 of this is estimated to be wasted. To encourage energy efficiency practices, the UK government has set an energy target of 110 kWh per m² for all schools.

Schools generally use a combination of electricity and natural gas. While electricity powers everything from the intercom system and security cameras to learning equipment like SMART boards, gas is used to heat and cool the building.