Many companies are missing out when it comes to energy savings, and it’s costing them a lot of money in the process. Whether you’re new to energy management, or an expert on the subject, it pays to keep track of where you are spending your money. After all, even the best performing company can find ways to stretch their energy budget that little bit further. Keep reading for five great energy saving solutions that can help save the environment, and your bank account.
Change Your Lights
Lighting costs take up around 30% of an energy bill, so cutting this figure down can save your company quite a lot of money. First off, look into replacing your current incandescent lighting with fluorescent lighting. And, where possible, opt for lower wattage bulbs in the areas that don’t need to be quite so bright. You should also look into sensor lighting for areas that aren’t used regularly, such as the toilets and staff room, so that the lights don’t permanently need to be on.
Switch Things Off
Make sure that, wherever possible, you turn all equipment off overnight. Just one computer left on for 24 hours a day, can cost a business £50 a year, so just imagine the price for hundreds. If your staff are going out for lunch, ask them to place their computers into sleep mode, and make it policy for all computers to sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity, as opposed to going into sleep mode. This also applies to photocopiers, water coolers, and other technology.
Efficient Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling are responsible for the majority of each energy bill we receive, so improving the energy efficiency of these is vital if we want to see a decrease in bills. The largest savings will come from simply turning your heating system down by a few degrees, or installing a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in the room. Dirty air conditioning units can also waste money as they are having to work overtime to keep the room at a cool place. Also consider solar panels, and infrared heating panels, such as those offered by Red Hot Green.
Update Technology
If your staff are using computers that are over five years old, or if you have a fridge that’s seen better days, consider replacing them. Old appliances use a lot more energy than the newer eco-friendly models, and everything from your boiler to your water cooler can be updated.
Cut the Cord
Even though you may have turned off a device, if you have left the plug turned on, you will still be using electricity. Instead, you should either turn appliances off at the mains, or invest in a smart cord, which will detect when devices aren’t in use, and cut the electricity supply from the mains. Not only will they pay for themselves in just six weeks of use, but they also protect your equipment from power surges – they’re definitely worth the investment.