Energy Saving Tips for the Workplace
Improving your business's energy efficiency makes great business sense. In uncertain times for the UK's economy, more and more businesses are having to make cuts, just to keep afloat. Saving energy in the workplace, can change your business dramatically and save you more money than you think. Following on from our case on 'Becoming a 'Greener' Company, here are some energy saving tips:
Appliances
-Turn both the PC and the monitor off at night – switching off your monitor and computer could save around £100 each year. It could also save the same amount of carbon a year that is emitted from driving a car 3,000 miles.
-Turn off any appliances that can be switched off, such as printers, photocopiers, most vending machines and water coolers/heaters electric powered tools, fax machine, servers, projectors the list can go on depending what appliances you have.
-Keep your electrical appliances regularly maintained to a high standard. The efficiency of your equipment is important and if something is not working properly, you could be wasting money.
-Sharing printers is a great way of saving money. Try and avoid having a number of printers sitting idle.
Lighting
-Open the blinds! If daylight is bursting to get in, open the blinds and turn off the lights.
-You could save over £125 per year if you switch off the lights at nights and at the weekends.
Have energy saving light-bulbs – they may be more expensive but will pay for themselves in a year as you will save up to 80% on energy costs.
-If your office only has one switch for all the lights, then you are probably wasting energy and money. You could have separate switches for each or an area of lights so you can turn off the ones that are not in use. For example, if someone is working alone, they will only need the light above them.
-If your tired of reminding staff to turn off the lights or have imposed an energy saving scheme, then Energy Saving Labels are a great way of reinforcing those messages.
Kitchen
-Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you will need. This way the water will boil quicker, you won't waste any water and you save time and money.
-Another way you would save money heating water, replace the kettle with an instant boiling water dispenser – quick, easy and costs less. The water shouldn't need to be any hotter than 60ºC/140ºF.
-Dripping taps can come to an expensive cost. Each cubic meter of water costs around £2, so make sure the taps are fully off. If the problem continues, get them fixed!
-If your workplace has a fridge, keep it at temperature that keeps the content cold enough. Freezers and fridges that are filled with frost will work harder to keep cold - defrost them at least once a year.
Heating
-Air-conditioning accounts for 30% of the energy used in an office. Only use it when necessary and when in use keep doors and windows closed for better circulation.
-Keep the air-conditioning at a reasonable, constant temperature so the room is suitable for working in. If your cold, put a cardigan or jumper on.
-Make sure the heating and cooling systems are not fighting each, have one of them on or switch both off.
-Switch off heating appliances when the office is empty and when the office is at a reasonable temperature. Once your office is warm enough, keep windows and doors closed, this way the warm air will not escape as much.
-To benefit the use of extraction, compression and ventilation units, turn them off when there is nobody about.
Posted in Office, Think Green