Wattzap coordinator, Mrs Catriona Hasson with Olivia McGinley and Coleen Macey showing that saving energy saves money!
‘One Good Idea’ is the title of this year’s S.E.A.I. schools competition, and Errigal College’s WATTZAP project is proving hugely popular.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are playing a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.
Errigal College’s WATTZAP project aims to show people how to make some simple lifestyle changes that use energy more efficiently in their homes.
Their project has included a competition in Errigal College called ‘Energy Saving Selfie’, won by Cailin Macey, and the production of a booklet. They have also made a video with staff and students as actors.
Errigal College’s WATTZAP slogan is SIMPLE:
S Start saving energy at home and help tackle climate change;
I Invest in a clothes line;
M Make sure dishwasher is full;
P Plug out appliances;
L Less time in the shower;
E Ensure lights are turned off!
These instructions seem simple but can actually make a significant saving in the energy used in the home.
Errigal College Principal Charlie Cannon is both surprised and delighted at the SIMPLE instructions.
“They really are simple steps and they really are beneficial to both your environment and to you, giving you more money in your pocket.”
The quality of Errigal College’s students’ work has been rewarded by being chosen as one of the top fifty schools in Ireland. The next stage will see fourteen schools going into the national final.
Errigal College Project Coordinator, Geography teacher Mrs Catriona Hassan, is both delighted at their success so far and confident of further progress.
“We are delighted to have got through the first stage of the competition. My students are really committed to winning the competition and more importantly to helping the Irish people to save energy in their daily lives, in their homes.”
The student team is made up of Emmet McLoughlin, Dominika Blaszczok, Jay Lecky, Kealan O’Donnell, Gary Steen and Shane Irwin. They are keen to get their message across to as many people as possible.
A very determined Emmet McLoughlin asks “Did you know that even when most of our electric devices are turned off they are actually continuing to draw power 24 hours a day! This ‘standby power’ make up 10% of your electricity bill, and we all want cheaper electricity bills! You can save money and save energy if you don’t just stanby!”
Kealan O’Donnell explained that “Standby electricity use is responsible for 1% of global CO2 emissions. The biggest culprits are the stereos which produce 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 each year. Other major ‘environmental sinners’ are televisions, consoles, phone chargers, monitors and DVD players.”
Gary Steen gives a surprising statistic: “The average Irish home uses 21% more electricity now than it did in 1990 and produces 8.2 tonnes of CO2. 3.2 tonnes is from electricity use!”
Shane Irwin made these statistics more understandable when he said the simple way to lower your electricity bills and save money is to unplug your tv, your computer, your microwave. Turning the tv off simply isn’t enough!”
Dominika Blaszczok sums up Errigal College’s One Good Idea: “We are asking the community to take action on standby power. And doing this is simple: Don’t just ‘standby’!”
A smiling Jay Lecky added that by doing this you’ll be helping the Irish environment, the world’s environment, “and saving yourself money too!”
Coordinator Mrs Catriona Hasson added that Aengus Kennedy has been very informative and helpful to the students in this project
The project team finished this interview with confidence: “Errigal College’s Build-a-Bank team came second in Ireland a few years ago. We’re gonna go one better.”
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