LEDing the Way to Energy Efficient Lighting with Edmund Waller Primary School
“For many community buildings and schools, LED lighting is one of the quickest and most straightforward ways of reducing electricity bills, with quicker results than other methods.”
– Giovanna Speciale, CEO & founder of Selce
Edmund Waller Primary School LED Case Study
Launched in 2021, LEDing the Way is Selce’s project to bring energy efficient upgrades to lighting systems in community buildings, at zero-up-front cost.
Last Summer, energy efficient lighting upgrades were included in Selce’s 2024 community share offer – and Edmund Waller Primary school is one of six sites that have been completed with the help of this funding.
Selce is also currently partnering with sister group SE24 to support delivery of four lighting installs in Southwark and Lambeth so far, with more to follow.
Background
Edmund Waller is a primary school and nursery in Lewisham in South East London. With the support of Lewisham council, Selce submitted a bid to the London Community Energy Fund (LCEF5) to conduct an LED Lighting Feasibility Study in Lewisham.
Having identified Edmund Waller as a Lewisham school that could benefit from an upgrade to more energy efficient LED lighting, Selce engaged with the senior leadership and premises teams at the school.
The result of this was a clearer picture of the impact the school’s lighting system was having on its electricity bills. Coupled with high energy costs, there were also the maintenance costs of light fittings approaching their end of life.
Selce conducted an in-depth lighting survey of the school’s premises, considering areas of the school designated for SEND, plus areas where brightness levels were inadequate for learning.
The survey found that the school had 465 mostly fluorescent and some halogen light bulbs.
Funding and Installation
💡 SELCE wrote and applied for a capital grant on behalf of Edmund Waller to the London Community Energy Fund (LCEF 7) and Lewisham Community Energy Fund (LewCEF2) to fund a portion of the project costs.
💡 The remaining project costs were funded by Selce’s community share offer.
💡 The installation took place during summer holidays 2024 and was completed in a few weeks.
Results
💡 It is estimated that the project will save the school about £19,426 per year in electricity bills.
💡 The work is projected to save 8 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
💡 In addition to the carbon and electricity cost savings, this installation will contribute towards an improved general wellbeing of pupils and staff members. Due to the flicker-free nature of LED lighting, building users will experience less eye strain and migraines that are sometimes attributed to long term exposure to fluorescent lighting.
“Community buildings often get left behind, without the upfront budgets to completely update their lighting – and save money and the environment. Through our community funding model, plus other local grants, we provide solutions that benefit both the building, the people who use it and the wider community.”
– Lawrence Chude, LEDing the Way Projects Officer, Selce
