Energy Saving Tips at Work
Not
only will you be raising the profile of your business and improving your ‘green credentials’ but you
will be saving money while you save energy! So it’s good for the bottom line, good for your company’s
reputation, good for the environment and good for the future.
Reducing your energy bill doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive technologies or making major alterations. Take a walk around your businesses and see how many electrical items are on that do not need to be and identify efficiency savings. Engage with your employees, raise awareness of what you are doing and why, and implement some simple good housekeeping. Our top tips below will give you a start.
Reducing your energy bill doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive technologies or making major alterations. Take a walk around your businesses and see how many electrical items are on that do not need to be and identify efficiency savings. Engage with your employees, raise awareness of what you are doing and why, and implement some simple good housekeeping. Our top tips below will give you a start.
Heating and Cooling
- Adjust time settings to ensure heating matches occupancy patterns.
- Do not over heat; recommended temperature for offices is 19 – 20°C.
- Heating and Air Conditioning – only have 1 on at a time!
Hot Water
- Ensure pipes and cylinders are adequately insulated.
- Have the hot water controls for timing and temperature independent from the space heating.
- Do not overheat your water, turn down the heater thermostats.
Lighting
- Switch off unnecessary lights.
- Do not light unused areas and switch off display lights out of hours.
- Make full use of daylight – ensure windows and skylights are cleaned and curtains opened.
- Use the most efficient lighting – compact fluorescent lamps save about 80% of the energy and last longer.
Download Appropriate
Lighting
Tips (.pdf) for more information.
Office Equipment
- Do not switch on computers, printers and other appliances until you need them.
- Do switch off – You can make savings of up to 75% if you switch off equipment at night and the weekend.
- Fitting timers can provide significant energy savings on equipment such as photocopiers, vending machines and water coolers.
Saving Water
Taps
- Dripping taps may seem a small problem but it drips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which can add up to a lot of water!
- Fit self closing taps, removing the possibility of wasted water from staff and visitors to the building not turning off the tap.
- Fit a flow restrictor, as many taps give an unnecessarily high flow.
- Provide plugs for washing hands, dishes or food.
Toilets
- Use a cistern volume reducer inserted into toilet cisterns and save water with every
- For men’s toilets, consider installing a flush control system.
For
more top tips download Top Tips for Business (.pdf)
What else can I do?
Energy is just one resource your company uses. Why
not see how much water
savings you can make, or waste you can recycle.
The Carbon Trust
– works with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon
technologies. They offer a variety of free resources to help raise
awareness in your business, support and information on saving energy, funding for energy efficiency
projects; and an on-line calculator to find out your businesses carbon footprint. For
general enquiries contact the Carbon Trust on: Tel: 0800 085 2005 Web: www.carbontrust.co.uk
Groundwork
Leicester and Leicestershire – offer help to businesses to reduce their
environmental impacts and improve profitability. Tel: 0116 222 0222 Web:
www.gwll.org.uk
Do you work in a Leicestershire County
Council owned property? If
yes and you would like to help save energy and water at work then contact the Energy Services team on
0116 3055995, energyandwater@leics.gov.uk.
Page Last Updated: 6 May 2009
