Shut down guide for new staff / temporary staff

[School name]

has a policy of shutting down energy using devices when they are not needed. This includes lights, heaters, fans, air conditioners, heaters, printers, copiers, etcetera – anything that uses energy and is non essential.

You are expected to turn off energy using devices when they aren’t needed. Fluorescent lights should be turned off when you leave the room – it is a myth that they use lots of energy when starting. Computers should similarly be turned off if they are unlikely to be used for more than 30 minutes. Heaters can be left on for long after they are needed – please endeavour to be conscious of the temperature and turn off the heater once the room is up to temperature. Similar advice applies to air conditioners and evaporative coolers.

Standby loads are those loads consumed to keep an electrical using device ready, even when it is switched off. Most modern appliances have a standby load of some sort, including computers, printers, copiers, air conditioners, gas heaters, anything with a plug-pack (such as a lap-top computer, computer speakers, battery chargers), televisions, VCRs, musical instruments, scanners, etc. The only way to eliminate a standby load is to switch off at the wall or unplug at the wall. You should switch off standby loads when not needed.

All our classrooms are fitted with shut-down checklists. Please ensure that these are filled in. Each week a student is to be nominated to fill in the shut down checklist.

You may be requested to complete the after school shut down checklist. This involves walking around the school and verifying that everything is switched off before going home.

This policy is in place to reduce the schools’ greenhouse pollution arising from its energy use.