Bright Ideas: How FMs Can Dim The 'Parasitic Load'

Energy‑saving strategies for FMs in the education sector are vital for controlling costs and meeting sustainability goals. Yet one area ripe for disruption is lighting, capable of consuming more energy outside of school hours than during teaching time. Jane Bellamy, Area Sales Manager for Whitecroft Lighting, explores how pioneering projects, such as West Coventry Academy, are helping FMs eliminate the 'parasitic load' and achieve unprecedented efficiency.

As most facilities managers will attest, light used during operational hours is essential to the effective use of a space. For schools already equipped with effective lighting controls this can be as little as 1,500 hours a year. Lesser known, however, is the impact of other systems for the remaining 7,236 hours in a year. According to new research, these systems can use up to 25% additional energy.

It was this issue – a phenomenon known as the ‘parasitic load’ that West Coventry Academy, one of the UK’s first Net Zero schools, aimed to stamp out. As a pilot project for Department for Education (DfE) expectations were high but through a string of innovations, it delivered valuable lessons that all FMs should be aware of:

AC To DC

Central to the project was reducing the embodied carbon attached to lighting materials and processes. This formed the foundation of the schools’ energy‑saving capabilities – ensuring it could reduce daily operational carbon, both now and in the future.

This led to a switch from traditional lighting control systems, which rely on alternating current (AC) for power, to direct current (DC), an approach that yielded impressive results.

By choosing power‑over‑ethernet (PoE) DC systems, the Academy avoided the electricity heavy stages of voltage transformation associated with AC, leading to power loss due to heat generation. This tactic, alongside, super low‑energy, next‑gen luminaires designed specifically for the education sector, delivered up to 97% efficiency – far surpassing the DfE’s consumption target of four watts per square metre.

Customised Control: Personal To Personnel

Another innovative approach was the use of 200 pre‑programmed Bluetooth lanyards designed to boost energy efficiency outside teaching hours. Custom‑made, these lanyards wirelessly adjust the lighting based on the wearer’s profile.

This means that different lighting settings are activated and deactivated automatically, whenever teachers, security personnel, cleaners, or visitors enter and leave a room. This smart customisation ensures that the right amount of lighting is used at the right time, significantly reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Fast‑Track Safety Testing

Like all public buildings, regular tests are needed on emergency lighting systems, a job typically managed by an in‑house or external specialist.

At West Coventry Academy, however, a non‑specialist FM can now access this emergency test data through touchscreen technology, providing the required information with the press of a button.

Not only does this improve safety and the operational burden on FMs; the tech‑forward control panel can provide detailed power consumption data for each room.

By delivering real‑time metrics, it tracks how efficiently each space uses energy throughout the day and over the year, enabling even greater data‑driven efficiency improvements.

The Future Is Now

What’s clear is that revolutionary projects such as West Coventry Academy are making strides, allowing FMs to regain control of parasitic loads and to see what’s possible.

However, small but impactful choices can be made in the here and now – such as opting for low‑energy, modular LED lighting that promotes circular design and upgradability.

Instead of buying new, components can be replaced, saving establishments spending hard‑won resources. Low‑wattage, ultra‑long‑life lights also maximise operational lifespan and reduce waste from heat energy.

West Coventry Academy showcases the potential of lighting control and the importance of using the right product at the right time. By demonstrating how technology, innovation, and problem‑solving can come together, FMs can play a pivotal role in creating a greener, cleaner future.

Images Credit: Bowmer + Kirkland