Angie Bugg is the Energy Conservation Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.
Schools are special places to work. They are inspiring environments for both students and staff. School facilities managers can use this inspiration alongside equipment upgrades and staff engagement to ensure energy management programs are successful.
Saskatchewan Environmental Society runs programming for building operators on energy efficiency and occupant energy awareness. Angie Bugg has been working with the Saskatchewan Environmental Society since 2003 and facilitates the Building Operator Training program.
The workshops cover various approaches for the efficient operation of water, electricity/lighting and HVAC systems in facilities of all sizes. Bugg has educated building operators from all types of organizations, and she explains that schools are a special place for staff engagement.
Most employees in a school are there for the students. This special relationship can benefit energy management programs.
“Quite often the school caretakers are good people persons and get along well with the kids. The kids will often bring the building operator in on their campaigns.”
The relationship between staff and students is an advantage to both groups. Bugg has witnessed facilities staff working directly on student projects, such as turning off water fountains to see the impact on water consumption or conducting garbage audits. In turn, students are more aware to the tasks and approaches of facilities staff, and the children learn about the importance of efficiency in day-to-day operations.
Although students can be a valuable source of inspiration, school building operators still need to follow the common practices to make energy management programs successful.
There are two major approaches for energy conservation. The first is equipment innovations that can reduce consumption. These technologies can be used in most facilities.
“When you’re looking at energy efficiency technology, a building is a building. You can apply similar technologies,” says Bugg.
The second approach is employee behavioural change.
“When you are trying to change behaviours, you need to be more specific about what you’re doing,” Bugg recommends.
“You need to think about what you’re trying to engage them with. If there is a specific activity or behaviour you want them to change, then you have to work very particularly with that thing.”
Energy projects don’t end with just facilities and custodial staff. All employees can participate in activities to reduce consumption and improve efficiency.
Energy Awareness Training identifies specific behaviours to change and addresses these items with all occupants of a site. For example, using the blinds on a sunny day can cut back on air conditioning costs.
Bugg recommends using a one-on-one approach. Talk directly with a building’s occupants about the proposed actions and goals, and encourage them to become more aware of energy consumption.
Saskatchewan Environmental Society runs programming for building operators, teachers and students, and also general energy awareness for all building occupants. Learn more about their workshops at www.environmentalsociety.ca.