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Save on school energy bills with voltage optimisation

Imagine cutting your school’s energy bills by nearly a fifth without making any major changes to the way you operate. It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But what if the answer lies in something as simple as voltage optimisation?

For schools, academies, and colleges, managing energy costs is an ongoing challenge. With budgets being squeezed, every penny saved on electricity can be reinvested in teaching, technology, or much-needed facility upgrades. Voltage optimisation might just be the answer to these savings, helping you cut costs, protect your equipment, reduce waste, and make progress towards sustainability goals—all without disrupting day-to-day learning.

What is voltage optimisation?

Voltage optimisation works by regulating the power supply that enters your school. Think of it as a filter. Energy coming into your building is often delivered at a higher voltage than needed—typically above 240 volts, while most electrical equipment in the UK only requires around 220 volts to operate efficiently.

This extra voltage doesn’t improve performance. Instead, it leads to unnecessary energy consumption, potential overheating, and unnecessary wear on your school’s equipment. This is where voltage optimisation steps in. By reducing the incoming voltage to an optimal level, it ensures that everything runs smoothly and efficiently, using only the energy that’s necessary. The result? Lower energy consumption and savings on your electricity bills.

How does it work?

Once a voltage optimiser is installed, it lowers the voltage supplied to your school’s equipment without affecting performance. Teachers, students, and administrators won’t notice any change in how the devices they rely on operate, but you’ll certainly notice a difference when it comes to your monthly energy bills. It’s a bit like tuning a radio to the right frequency, filtering out the interference, and getting only what you need.

The benefits for your school

Voltage optimisation offers several key benefits to the education sector, working across multiple areas to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Here’s how it can help:

  • Energy cost savings: One of the most immediate impacts of voltage optimisation is reduced energy consumption. While the maximum savings can reach 19%, the average savings for most institutions is around 6.5%. If your school spends £50,000 a year on electricity, that could mean a saving of £3,250 annually. Over time, these savings could be redirected into enhancing learning environments or upgrading essential equipment.
  • Prolonged equipment lifespan: Educational facilities rely on a wide range of equipment, from computers and projectors to lighting and heating systems. These devices aren’t designed to handle higher voltages and can overheat or wear out faster when exposed to excess power. Voltage optimisation helps to reduce this strain, ensuring your equipment lasts longer, which saves you on maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Enhanced protection for your equipment: By stabilising voltage levels, this solution helps prevent sudden power surges that could damage equipment. This reduces the risk of costly repairs or interruptions to your teaching and learning environment, keeping everything running smoothly.
  • Minimal maintenance: Voltage optimisation is a straightforward, “fit-and-forget” solution. Once it’s installed, it doesn’t require regular maintenance or monitoring. It operates quietly in the background, allowing you to focus on your school’s core mission: education.
  • Sustainability: Reducing energy consumption isn’t just good for the budget; it’s also a step towards a greener, more sustainable future. With an increasing focus on environmental responsibility in education, voltage optimisation helps schools meet sustainability targets, reduce their carbon footprint, and demonstrate commitment to responsible energy management. It’s a win-win for both financial and environmental objectives.
  • Rapid return on investment: For schools, the return on investment is clear. With energy savings and the reduced need for equipment replacements, most institutions can recoup the cost of installation within 18 months. After that, it’s all about ongoing savings that can be reinvested in the education of future generations.

Real world results

This isn’t just theoretical. Voltage optimisation has already been successfully implemented in over 20,000 locations across the UK, including some of the most energy-intensive environments like supermarkets and manufacturing plants. These businesses have seen tangible results, from reduced energy bills to extending the life of their equipment.

For the education sector, where budgets are tight and savings matter more than ever, the return on investment can be even more significant. Imagine reinvesting energy savings into modernising classrooms, improving digital infrastructure, or enhancing student wellbeing. Voltage optimisation could make that a reality.

Is voltage optimisation right for your school?

If you’re wondering whether voltage optimisation could benefit your institution, the first step is to test your current voltage levels. This will show you if the power coming into your school is higher than what’s needed, potentially leading to wasted energy and unnecessary wear on your equipment.

At Troo, we offer a free tool called Troo Volt. This simple plug-in device measures the voltage at your sockets, giving you an accurate reading of what’s coming into your building. It’s quick and easy to use, providing clear data to help you decide whether voltage optimisation could benefit your school’s energy management strategy.

Want to know more? Click through for a detailed look at how the tool works and how it can help you make informed decisions about your energy use.