How Old Tech is Silently Draining School Budgets
As educational institutions face unprecedented budget constraints, many could be overlooking a significant drain on their finances: outdated computer systems silently consuming electricity day and night. This growing financial liability comes at a time when 60% of schools and trusts report balancing their budgets as their biggest challenge, up from 44% in 2022.1
With sustainability becoming a central focus in education policy, the need to address the energy-efficiency of school technology infrastructure has never been more urgent.
The real cost of outdated school computers
The financial impact of maintaining ageing technology extends far beyond initial procurement costs. Government reports indicate that keeping outdated computers operational costs taxpayers an estimated £2.3 billion annually2. This staggering figure represents resources that could otherwise be directed towards early years providers, schools, and colleges.
When examining energy consumption patterns, the difference between old and modern hardware becomes immediately apparent:
Legacy desktop systems consume approximately 66 watts when idle and 1.9 watts in sleep mode
Older 17" LCD monitors draw around 13 watts while active and 0.4 watts on standby
By comparison, modern energy-efficient laptops require only about 33 watts when idle - half the power requirement of their predecessors
How sustainable technology reduces school expenses
The Department for Education has clear expectations for schools on how they can minimise their environmental impact3. Outdated technology not only increases operational costs but significantly expands an institution's carbon footprint.
Schools utilising older network infrastructure are contributing to the 1-1.5% of global electricity consumption attributed to data centres and networks.
This represents approximately 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions - comparable to the entire aviation industry4. By transitioning to modern hardware, educational institutions could substantially reduce their environmental impact while simultaneously helping to address some of their financial pressures.
The operational costs of technological stagnation
The consequences of maintaining outdated technology extend beyond higher energy bills. System failures, network issues and software incompatibilities frequently lead to operational disruptions that generate additional costs.
Well known examples include Bangor Grammar school's closure due to network issues and the employment uncertainty created by software glitches in Devon schools.
Futureproofing with ASUS: The investment that pays for itself
At ASUS, we are proud to have several devices, especially laptops, that provide measurable cost savings. The ASUS ExpertBook laptop provides a battery life that lasts for a whole-day on only one charge, perfect for busy teaching staff. For students the ASUS BR1104C is a great choice with up to 10 hours battery life powered by a long life rechargeable lithium polymer battery.
The advantages extend beyond power savings:
With ASUS Control Center, institutions can implement power management policies across their device fleet, further reducing energy consumption during periods of inactivity.
ASUS Business Manager provides enhanced system optimisation that helps keep computers running smoothly for longer
Energy-efficient ASUS hardware generates less heat, reducing cooling requirements and associated costs
ASUS ExpertBook laptops with all-day battery life minimise the need for constant charging, reducing electricity consumption
For institutions upgrading their infrastructure, ASUS offers ruggedised education solutions, such as the ASUS BR1100F. These provide durability that ensures the longevity of technology investments, maximising return on investment while minimising environmental impact.
Strategic steps toward technological sustainability
Educational institutions looking to address energy-efficiency can take several immediate actions:
1. Evaluate your current technology infrastructure and identify the high-consumption devices
2. Assess your energy management practices and implement system-wide power policies
3. Develop a phased replacement strategy prioritising the most energy-intensive equipment
4. Explore ASUS education solutions designed specifically for energy-efficiency and durability in educational environments
5. Utilise government guidance on meeting digital and technology standards to inform procurement decisions
A financially sound environmental choice
In the context of educational budget constraints and increasing environmental accountability, addressing the energy-efficiency of technology infrastructure represents a rare opportunity to simultaneously reduce costs and environmental impact.
By transitioning to modern, energy-efficient ASUS hardware solutions, schools can redirect valuable resources from utility bills to other teaching and learning priorities while fulfilling their environmental responsibilities.
For more information on how ASUS can help with your school's technology modernisation needs, explore our complete education solution page.