Around the business
When it comes to making a real difference to your business bill, developing energy saving strategies will help you plan for success. Make it a team effort with your staff so everyone's involved in making a difference.
If your company intends to become more energy efficient, it’s a good idea to put this in writing with an energy management policy. Show that your business is environmentally conscious by creating energy saving goals and monitoring your progress.
Writing one doesn’t have to be difficult, just start by listing your goals and intentions — these may include:
- Telling staff, customers and suppliers about your energy policy.
- Adopting a whole of life costing approach to purchases, paying attention to efficiency.
- Setting your business an energy reduction goal over the next 5 years e.g. Reduce your consumption by 20%
- Implementing automated solutions for saving energy instead of relying on manual process.
- Encourage employees to save energy.
- Publicise your objectives.
Get started with our draft energy management policy
To help you write your own policy, we’ve provided a generic one which you can easily tailor to suit your business.
Make an energy savings checklist
When it comes to reducing your business’ energy usage, it’s a good idea to start small. Checking the easy tips off your list will give you the motivation to implement the slightly harder tips. Remember to monitor your usage so you can see the effects of your efforts.
Office equipment
- Switch all equipment off at the wall each night.
- Use emails rather than print-outs and faxes.
- Set your printer options to print documents on both sides and in black and white.
- Use LCD monitors – they are much more efficient than CRT monitors.
Kitchen
- Turn appliances off when they are not required.
- Use smaller, more efficient equipment, such as microwaves and kettles, where appropriate.
- Fully load the dishwasher to save water and energy.
- Lower the water storage temperature of your system, but not below 60°C as this presents a legionella risk.
- Save up to 5% of the energy used when heating water by reducing your hot water setting by 10ºC.
- Insulate the tank, pipe work and fittings to reduce heat loss. Ensure storage systems are well sheltered, as this will protect pilot lights from draughts.
- Locate the system as close as possible to the point of use.
Refrigeration
- Manage fridge stock levels, load stock in batches and turn off when not required
- Reduce heat intrusion by maintaining door seals and limiting door openings.
- Keep evaporators clean and ice free.
- Re-stock your fridges/freezers at the end of each day.
- Maintain regularly and install auto door closers and/or strip curtains on walk-ins.
- Keep condensers clean, locate them in cool places and maximise air circulation above them.
Heating & cooling
- Keep doors closed where possible to prevent cool or warm air from escaping.
- Keep blinds shut during hot periods to prevent heat from getting in.
- Don’t overheat or cool; set appropriate temperature limits in the range of 21°C to 25°C.
- Remind employees to dress appropriately for the season.
- Maintain equipment properly to ensure your heating and cooling systems operate efficiently.
- Investigate improving insulation, or retrofitting double-glazing, window tinting and reflective coating for your building.
- Use energy efficient lighting and avoid using electrical equipment that generates heat.
- Locate heat-generating equipment outside the building.
Lighting
- Reduce unnecessary lighting. Dim lights where possible.
- Use natural light where available.
- Ensure lamps are properly maintained for the right level of lighting.
- Lighter coloured walls, ceilings and furnishings reflect more light to working areas, which means you’ll require less light.
- Arrange appropriate lighting levels for specific tasks, for example, you will not require as much light in a corridor as you would at a workstation.
- Select the right lamp and luminaire fittings to save energy costs and reduce ongoing maintenance and replacement costs.
- Install fluorescent lights. They use about 70% less electricity than incandescent globes of similar output.
