How you can be energy-smart in the workplace

There are plenty of ways that your business can save energy and cut back on energy bills. Here, we look at some of the most effective ways to save energy, cut usage and expenditure:

Switch to energy-saving light bulbs

Using energy-saving bulbs will cut usage and save you money. Typically, they use up to 80% less energy than standard bulbs and don’t need to be replaced as often, keeping your lighting bill down to a minimum.

Install motion sensitive lighting

It’s easy to leave lights on after you’ve left a room, so educate your staff to ensure they are turning off  lighting when leaving an area. You could also look at motion sensitive lights, as these will turn off automatically when rooms are not in use. Make the most of natural lighting in the summer months by opening window blinds in daylight hours to cut back on business energy costs.

Don’t switch on air-con or heating too early

Be savvy with your heating! You may not need heating or air conditioning during mild spring or autumn days, so switch it off! Set your heating to switch off when the temperature reaches 21°C, and programme your air conditioning units to kick in when temperature exceeds 23-24°C.

Maximise efficiency of air conditioning

If you do need air conditioning, help it stay efficient by keeping doors and windows shut, including internal doors. Air conditioning units are only meant to cool the area they are situated in. Your unit can end up being over-exerted as it’ll be trying to cool more than it’s meant to.

Invest in micro-generation

Producing your own energy can help keep bills down and cut your business’ carbon footprint. Solar photovoltaic panels – which need only daylight, not sunlight to generate electricity – work on buildings of all sizes.

Switch off computers overnight

Turning off your monitors when they’re not in use and over the weekends could save your organisation on business electricity bills.

Only boil the water you need

Be careful how much water your employees are heating up. If we all only boiled the water we needed for a cup of tea, we’d save enough electricity a year to power the UK’s street lights for a month.

Update your technology

Old and out of date models of computers, fridges and even boilers tend to be far less energy efficient. Update to energy efficient appliances wherever possible.

Put up energy saving posters

To remind employees of your energy-saving measures, put up posters to prompt them. We have a range of posters you can use around your business on our website. Visit: logicalutilities.co.uk/resources/

Conduct an energy audit

Take regular meter readings around your premises to keep track of your energy consumption, that way you will know what processes use the most energy and will be able to identify areas where savings could be made.