Energy costs can eat up a huge portion of any school’s budget, but reducing your usage doesn’t need to be expensive. Small behavioural changes and affordable tools can dramatically lower both energy bills and carbon footprints. Let’s look at some simple strategies for international education providers managing multiple classrooms and student spaces.

Create energy-conscious habits

Implement a ‘last out, lights out’ policy with engaging reminder signs around the classrooms. Create multilingual posters yourself or you could ask students to design fun, culturally-themed reminders during class projects. These visual cues transform energy saving from a rule into a shared community value, making conservation feel collaborative rather than restrictive.

Make use of natural resources

Rearranging classroom furniture to make the most of natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting throughout the day. Try positioning desks and reading areas near windows, and consider flexible seating arrangements that can shift with the sun’s movement. This simple reorganisation often improves student alertness while cutting electricity consumption during peak daylight hours.

Implement temperature control solutions

Installing thermal curtains or window shades offer heating and cooling benefits at minimal cost. These barriers help maintain comfortable temperatures year-round, reducing strain on HVAC systems—during summer, they block heat buildup, and in winter, they provide insulation.

Integrate smart technology 

Set up DIY solar-powered device chargers using affordable solar panels and battery packs—perfect for outdoor learning spaces or emergency backup power. Use power strips with programmable timers to automatically shut off unused equipment overnight, eliminating phantom energy draw from computers, projectors, and other classroom electronics.

A combination of mindful habits and low-cost improvements will improve any school’s energy efficiency. Why not try these solutions today and create learning spaces that model sustainability for the next generation? Don’t forget to follow Schools & Agents’ weekly Sustainable Wednesday series for more environmental tips for schools!

Written by Stephanie Clark