Energy Display Meter for schools FAQs
Energy Display Meter for schools FAQs
What is the purpose of the Energy Display Meter?
The purpose of the Energy Display Meter is to provide real-time information about
your school's electricity use in an easy-to-understand format which can be used
as a teaching and learning tool. The project is being funded by the Department for
Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) following the interim recommendations of the
Zero Carbon Task Force on how all schools could reduce energy consumption and promote
a culture of energy awareness. The programme is being managed by Partnerships for
Schools (PfS) and delivered by British Gas. PfS is responsible for the management
and delivery of the government's schools capital programmes.
How does the Energy Display Meter work?
Our installation teams will arrive at the agreed time and date and contact the school
representative nominated at the application stage. Installers will carry identification
and CRB certification. They will need access to the switch room (i.e. where the
existing electrical meter and main distribution board are located), so if keys are
required for this room, please ensure they are available.
The installer will complete the work in the switch room and install software onto
the PC nominated by the school representative. The installer will then test the
software communication, and give a brief instruction to the school representative
on its basic use. A comprehensive Information Pack has been developed to provide
guidance on the equipment and display screens, the information they provide, and
Key Stage specific guidance on how this can be used in lessons. It is expected that
the duration of the works would typically be 3-4 hours.
What are the requirements for the school computers or IT network?
This website is the primary source of information relating to the new meters. Alternatively,
email DCSFenquiries@britishgas.co.uk
or write to us at DCSF Enquiries Team, British Gas Business, Cippenham Court, Cippenham
Lane, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 5AU. We will contact schools to confirm application
details once submitted.
Can I use this as a teaching aid?
No - this is one strand of a broader DCSF initiative to make all schools more sustainable
and raise energy awareness. It is the first step in a more wide-ranging set of measures
focused on behaviour change and carbon management in schools which will be rolled
out during the course of 2010.
Will the Energy Display Meter replace my existing fiscal meter - and will it help
LAs and schools comply with their legal obligations such as the Carbon Budget commitment?
No - the Energy Display Meter offer was developed based on a recommendation from
the Zero Carbon Task Force. The meter is to provide real-time information about
electricity use. It is seen as a way of encouraging students and school staff to
become energy aware (and to understand the implications of their actions) - and
to act on this to reduce energy consumption. And it is hoped that it will also be
a useful tool which will help embed energy use and wider sustainability throughout
the curriculum. It will not provide information for billing purpose and the data
will not be centrally collated although the equipment can be used for this purpose
in the future. Therefore we are considering how this might be procured.
Does the meter provide information about other energy usage (gas, fossil fuels etc)?
Although the Energy Display Meter box that the DCSF is installing in your school
does has the capability to measure other forms of energy, the dashboard which your
school will see will only monitor electricity usage at this time.
Please contact us if your question has not been answered.