Energy efficiency is beneficial for several reasons: save energy, save the environment. In the long run it can help prevent climate change, protect the air, conserve limited natural resources and save ecosystems and animals.
But when running a business, energy efficiency is perhaps motivated by the effect it has on the organisations bottom line. The Carbon Trust estimates a 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% boost in sales in many businesses, so improving your energy efficiency is well worth investing time and money in. (Carbon Trust, 2019).
Becoming more energy efficient doesn’t have to cost your business, it has been suggested that most businesses could cut their energy costs by at least 10% with just a few straight forward changes to the workplace. To help you get started on improving things, we’ve created a list of easy day to day changes you and your employees can implement…
1. Turn off lights when room is vacant
Simple, effective, and unfortunately often under-utilised. No matter how good our intentions, most of us forget to turn off the lights when we leave a room. Running a ‘switch it off’ campaign involving educating employees is an easy way to raise the issue.
This also goes for lights being left on after working hours
2. Limit the use of artificial lighting, use natural light
Artificial lights consume power, natural light is free. So, limit the use of artificial lighting to the dark areas in the workplace.
An easy win, at no cost.
3. Get the brews in
Getting a round of tea and coffee for your team doesn’t just make you look good; it also helps to save energy. By boiling the kettle just once and making 5 or 6 drinks, you’ll save the energy used to re-boil.
4. Use the hibernation feature on all computers
Advise your employees to put their computers in hibernation mode if they take a break or go to a meeting. This feature allows users to save existing work as it is and continue working from the same point. A computer that’s hibernating uses about the same amount of power as a computer that’s shut down.
5. Control your heating and cooling
Keeping your office temperature one degree down during winters and one degree up during summers can reduce the power it uses by up to 10%.
By considering these small, but crucial steps above you’ll be able to see immediate changes in your energy bill within a short period of time.
Little changes can go a long way, but is your business looking for larger solutions? An energy audit is a good way to identify ways you can save more energy in your day to day operations. Our free energy support is available to any local SME in any sector, providing impartial advice about how investing in your building and production equipment can reduce energy consumption, and in turn save money.
The secret to reducing energy consumption in the workplace is getting your employees on board. With increasing emphasis on rising energy prices, CO2 legalisation and consumers making ethical purchasing decisions, there are many compelling reason why your business should engage employees in energy saving and sustainability.
Energy saving behaviour is all about making small changes in your employees daily habits at work. Yet often, change can be challenge for some employees. Therefore creating the right strategy is essential. Presenting the change as positive, reminding them that the business will thrive and it will benefit them personally is a great starting point.
Here are some ways to begin saving energy at work by engaging your employees in a subtle way:
1. Share the vision
Before employees can implement green strategies, it helps if they understand how their choices affect company costs and the environment. Do they know the biggest energy-draining habits in the work place? How can their help benefit the company and further?
2. Get staff involved
Involving your employees by asking for their suggestions and making them responsible for specific goals, such as ensuring all unnecessary electronics are switched off before the weekend, will engage them more in the initiative.
3. Create marketing materials
Involve staff in creating an energy policy then follow up with reminders such as posters, displays, stickers on equipment and light switches.
Simple, yet an effective reminder.
4. Upgrade equipment
Not only does new equipment tend to be more energy efficient, but when employees see the business investing in these appliances, they take note. Making moves like this within the company can cause a workplace culture shift in an energy-efficient direction.
5. Be an example
Lead the way for employees by demonstrating energy efficient behaviour. When employees see managers practicing conversation, they are more likely to do it themselves. When everyone in the business works together, energy saving behaviour becomes the norm instead of a burden.
Thinking about taking energy saving further?
Is your business thinking about…
Having a energy efficiency audit?
Replacing inefficient lighting?
Upgrading to more energy efficient equipment?
Installing solar PV?
BEST provides comprehensive services in free energy auditing and grant support. So whether you know what you want to do, or are just curious, get in touch today.