Some simple energy tips for businesses
Most businesses could easily cut their heating, lighting and power bills by up to 20% without spending a penny on investment. Some companies have even saved 50% through no-cost measures, making them more profitable and competitive as a result. You could make a start right now by following these simple tips.
First impressions
Take a walk around your premises and make a note of where you might be wasting energy. You might find
Empty rooms
Encourage staff to turn off lights when leaving a room or corridor and when they leave at the end of the day. This is one of the best ways of saving money - up to 15% can be knocked off your bill this way.
Windows open in cold weather
When staff are too warm, ask them to turn the heating down rather than open windows or doors. Look out for summer clothing in winter!
Lighting
Unnecessarily bright lighting
Reduce lighting in areas that need it less such as corridors. This can be as simple as removing tubes from alternate fittings.
Blocked or dirty windows/skylights
Make the best use of daylight - it 's free and people often prefer it anyway.
Dirty light fittings
Clean light fittings annually. Dirt reduces their output and can lead to extra lights being turned on.
Heating
Too hot?
Only heat your building to the maximum recommended level of 19°C. Costs rise by 8% for each 1°C of overheating.
Only heat your building to the maximum recommended level of 19°C. Costs rise by 8% for each 1°C of overheating.
Inappropriate heating
Reduce heating in areas that need less warmth, such as storerooms or areas where there is heavy physical work. Reduce heating at holiday times, weekends and other times when the building is empty.
Badly sited thermostats
Make sure thermostats are set correctly and properly located - i.e. not in parts of the room that are draughty or particularly cold or warm.
Obstructed radiators
Don't put furniture in front of radiators because that will reduce their output.
Motors, drives, fans and pumps
Badly maintained motors
A badly maintained motor and drive system can add 5% or more to your energy costs.
Replacing motors
If replacing a motor ensure it is a Higher Efficiency Motor, Class EFF1. If you are not sure what this means, talk to your motor supplier. If they don't know, change suppliers! (Remember, higher efficiency motors can qualify for tax relief, through the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme.
Motors running
Look for motors (fans, pumps, etc.) that are running when they are not needed. A motor running without load can still use as much as 40% of the full load power.
Compressed air
Find and fix leaks
Most compressed air users can save up to 30% of the energy by simple measures such as identifying and fixing leaks.
Operating pressure
Can you lower the operating pressure of the system? Typically a reduction of 1 bar (15psi) will save around 7% of the energy.
Supply of cool air
Does the air compressor have a good supply of cool air for its intake? Lowering the intake temperature by 4°C can increase efficiency by 1%.
Refrigeration
Freezer doors
It costs £6 an hour on average to leave a freezer door open.
Low temperatures
Check the temperature of your system. Is it too low? 1°C lower than needed can add 2- 4% to costs.
Check the condensers
Ensure they are located in a position that is not overheated and has
sufficient airflow.
Refrigerant charge
Does the system have the correct amount of refrigerant charge? Typically leakage can increase energy costs by over 10%.
Process control
The right settings?
When did you last check that the settings of your process were right? If you have a quality management system, are the right settings included in procedures?
System performance
Do you monitor and analyse the performance of the system? Wide variations in output/quality are indicative of the potential for savings by improved control.
You could also speak to your colleagues about where they think energy is being wasted and their ideas for making savings
You could also speak to your colleagues about where they think energy is being wasted and their ideas for making savings
Check progress
Remember the business maxim - if you can't measure it, you can't manage it.
Check the meters regularly to see how much electricity, gas and oil you are using.
Check your bills relate to what you actually use, rather than an estimate.
Check the meters regularly to see how much electricity, gas and oil you are using.
Check your bills relate to what you actually use, rather than an estimate.
* The above tips come from the Action Energy website - see links page. Action Energy is the government-initiated programme for helping businesses improve their energy performance.