Energy Efficiency for Business

Slowly but surely everyone is realising that making energy saving changes in the home or the office does not just serve to help save the planet but also saves a significant amount of money too. There are some simple steps all businesses can take to begin saving money today:

One: Turn everything off
There are so many electrical items in the office today such as computers, monitors and printers but there are also many more products which if turned off, could save you even more money. Turn off kettles, microwaves, sweet machines and drinks machines at the plug and pull mobile phone chargers out of sockets. Install security lights which switch on with a movement sensor. Ensure all toilet lights and any communal lobby or reception areas are switched off at the end of the day.

A good idea would be to create a check list of daily actions.

Two: Time regulate Air conditioning and heating
Firstly ensure the air conditioning and heating are switched off when nobody is in the office. There is no point in spending money on energy to heat or cool an empty room.
Secondly monitor how much you need the heat or air conditioning on during the day and constantly adjust your timers where necessary. It is common place that offices are either over heated or too cold so try and keep temperatures at a constant.

Three: Recycle everything
Ensure everyone has the opportunity to separate their rubbish so that it is easy for maintenance staff to sort the rubbish by items which can or cannot be recycled. As many people recycle at home, it should be just as easy to do the same at work.

Four: Don't waste anything
The printed page is one of the most wasteful habits in the office environment and reducing the amount of printed paper is an easy policy to implement. Also ensure you buy recycled paper, it costs roughly the same as normal paper but comes from sustainable sources.

If you can encourage your employees to embrace these four simple steps you will reduce your energy costs and some of your office bills straight away.

Other options for your business might be:

• The installation of solar panels or photovoltaic cells to generate your own heat and electricity, however these are more costly with a longer pay back period
• Source energy from a green energy supplier
• Review your heating system and boiler
• Complete a draught proofing assessment of your building and eliminate any areas which may be losing heat
• Buy recycled products where possible

Finally, many customers now consider a company's green policy a deciding factor in their purchasing decision. If you create and implement a green policy and promote these in your marketing, you could not only help to save the planet but also drive new business to your door.

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