Saving energy is good for the environment and good for your business’s bottom line.
However, it’s no secret that energy expenses continue to be a significant overhead for almost every organisation – which means finding ways to reduce these costs should not be an afterthought.
There are several ways to shrink energy consumption without affecting business operations, some free, others not, all designed to generate additional income for your firm and reduce your carbon footprint.
Carry out an energy audit
By utilising automated meter reading, you can compare energy consumption over various months and spot areas where cuts can be made. Importantly, though, it’s crucial to take seasonal factors into account. As the Carbon Trust, a world-leading organisation that helps businesses with energy-saving strategies, notes, try to measure energy use per product item if your business manufacturers something tangible.
Unplug your electrical items
It may sound obvious, but unplugging appliances that are on standby will go a long way to reducing your energy bills. For example, one computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day will cost a company over £50 a year. Also, shared equipment such as water coolers and photocopiers can be timed to switch off when not in use. Encourage employees to follow your lead and turn off electrical equipment, and ensure that nothing is left on standby when they leave for the day.
Turn down the heating
Winter may be the exception in this case, but try to keep the thermostat in the office at 19C (66F). In fact, if you boost the temperature by just ONE degree, your heating costs will go up by 8 percent each time. If employees are feeling the cold as they toil, encourage them to bring a cardigan or sweater to alleviate their coldness.
Turn off the lights …
Of course, this doesn’t mean you and your colleagues should work under the romantic flicker of a candle, but by fitting lights that sense movement, your business can avoid burning unnecessary energy in areas where people rarely tread. Additionally, encourage staff to turn off lights when they leave a room (where possible) by placing a noticeable sign as they exit.
Realism is the key
Admittedly, saving energy can be a difficult routine to get into, but by starting off small, keeping a sense of realism and following the tips above, you can increase your company’s – and that of your colleagues – energy saving ambitions over time.
