Automated energy management - A modern office building with tan brick and glass windows features a central courtyard. A faint double rainbow appears in the sky above the building.

St Faith’s School: Driving Energy Efficiency

Overview

St Faith’s School, an independent preparatory school in Cambridge, has been committed to sustainability and energy efficiency for over a decade. To enhance its energy management efforts, the school partnered with Optimal Monitoring to monitor and reduce energy consumption across its campus. By leveraging our energy monitoring software, St Faith’s has achieved significant cost savings and reduced carbon emissions while engaging students and staff in sustainable practices.
Automated energy management - A red and white sign reading Welcome School House Reception is displayed on the brick exterior of a building with arched windows and greenery. A wheelchair access symbol is visible to the right.

Challenges

  • Reduce energy costs and waste while supporting sustainability goals.
  • Improve visibility of electricity, gas, and water consumption.
  • Engage staff and students in reducing energy use through real-time insights.
  • Ensure quick identification and resolution of inefficiencies.

Solution

The energy monitoring and reporting software was deployed to track energy usage in real time, providing historical comparisons across electricity, gas, and water consumption. The system was integrated into the school’s daily operations, offering:

  • Real-time dashboards in multiple locations for easy access by staff and students.
  • Automated alerts to flag unexpected energy use.
  • Comparative analytics to highlight inefficiencies and opportunities for savings.
Automated energy management - Bar chart showing electricity use in kWh by hour on 1 January. Usage peaks at 9.08 kWh around midday. An 08:00 marker shows 4.59 kWh with shaded areas for non-daylight hours, highlighting benefits of automated energy management solutions.

Results & Impact

  • Improved operational efficiency—adjustments to kitchen energy use, lighting schedules, and IT equipment power management.
  • Faster issue resolution—alerts on abnormal consumption patterns allowed for immediate corrective actions.
  • Electricity usage reduced by 13% in the last academic year.
  • Gas consumption cut by 23%, leading to notable financial savings.
  • Annual electricity costs down by 6% through behavioural change.
Automated energy management - Three icons and statistics: Electricity usage reduced by 13%, gas consumption cut by 23%, and annual electricity costs down by 6%, each with a yellow label and green downward arrow beneath the percentage.

Next Steps

St Faith’s continues to expand its use of Optimal Monitoring’s systems, exploring ways to build a yearly carbon profile using the collected data. The school remains committed to improving energy efficiency and maintaining its reputation as a leader in sustainable education.

To measure is to manage, and you can’t do either if you’re not monitoring. The Optimal Monitoring system provides clear, communicative consumption data, enabling us to take real, immediate action to reduce energy waste.

 

Richard Brent

Bursar, St Faith’s School