We know that saving energy is good for both the planet and your business’s bottom line. In celebration of Big Energy Saving Week, we’re sharing a few easy and practical tips to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) reduce energy costs.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, SMEs could cut their energy bills by 18-25% just by making a few small changes in how they use energy.
Let’s dive into some simple areas where you can make a big impact:
- Lighting:
Lighting can take up a huge chunk of your energy bills, but the good news is there’s a lot you can do to reduce those costs.
- Switch to LED bulbs: Replacing old light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs can reduce lighting energy use by up to 80%! They last longer too, so you won’t need to replace them as often.
- Keep your lights maintained: Did you know that without regular maintenance, light levels can drop by as much as 30% over just 2-3 years? Simple upkeep can save you up to 15% on lighting costs.
- Don’t leave lights on in empty rooms: Encourage your team to get into the habit of turning off lights when they leave a room. You can even put up a little reminder above the light switches or mention it in a team email.
- Install occupancy sensors: Motion sensors are a great way to save energy automatically. These sensors turn lights off in rooms that are not in use, saving you up to 30% on lighting costs – plus, they’re super simple to install.
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC):
Your HVAC systems can be a big source of energy waste, but with a few tweaks, you can make them much more efficient.
- Turn down the heat by just 1°C: A tiny drop in temperature can save you up to 8% in fuel consumption. That’s enough energy to print over 40 million sheets of paper!
- Set HVAC to match work hours: Check that your heating and cooling systems are only running when people are actually in the office. You could even install a smart system that adjusts based on whether rooms are in use, ensuring that energy isn’t being wasted when no one’s around.
- Prevent heat loss: If your building gets a lot of foot traffic, consider installing automatic doors to help keep the warmth inside and the cold outside. A simple solution that saves energy without much hassle.
- Equipment and Machines:
Office equipment can be another area where energy savings are easy to overlook, but a few quick steps can make a big difference.
- Check for tax breaks and rebates: Some local governments and utility companies offer tax incentives or rebates for buying energy-efficient appliances. It’s worth taking a look at what’s available – check out the Ofgem website for UK options.
- Monitor energy use: Installing energy monitoring sensors can help you track which machines are using too much power. This can highlight any equipment that’s not working efficiently or is in need of repair.
Get an energy audit!
Wondering where to start? A quick energy audit can reveal all the small areas where energy might be slipping through the cracks. Get in touch to book your free energy audit with us today: hello@onefacility.co.uk
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