Why save electricity?
“Businesses are responsible for a large share of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions” (Lynas, Carbon Counter, 2007). It is increasingly important for businesses to reduce their electricity usage, not just to cut carbon emissions but to improve their image among increasingly environmentally aware consumers. And of course, there is the added bonus of cutting your electricity bills, allowing you extra money to reinvest in your business. “The governments Climate Change Levy also penalises private sector operators for excessive energy use” (Lynas, Carbon Counter, 2007), so it pays to try to reduce electricity usage as much as you can.
The Carbon Disclosure Project collects information from companies to find out how they are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers use this information to make an informed decision on which companies they will support. Therefore it is vitally important for businesses to try to reduce their impact on the environment to keep their customers. A good first step is cutting electricity usage. This guide will show you how. If you would like to “find out how organizations and public sector bodies around the world are responding to climate change”, visit the Carbon Disclosure site [1]
There are several ways in which businesses can reduce electricity consumption. However, it must be remembered that all businesses, their premises and needs are different. This means that you will be restricted in what you can do. This guide will show you the options for cutting electricity usage at work. Please note that this guide refers to appliances which use electricity and not any other fuel type.
Ways to save electricity
Cooling
If it is feasible, switch off air conditioning and open windows and doors instead. If you have air conditioning, ensure windows and doors are kept closed in order that the cool air doesn’t escape out of them. “Various studies have found that a traditionally air-conditioned office building can use up to 100% more energy than a non-air-conditioned building of the same size” (Easy Eco Auditing, McCarthy, 2008). There are several ways to cool an office without air-conditioning. Lighting produces heat energy, so turning off lights that aren’t needed can help. Open all doors and windows and ensure windows that face the sun all day have blinds. Opening windows and doors first thing in the morning before it gets hot can help with cooling, as opposed to waiting for it to get warm and then opening them. Heat rises so make sure windows are open on the top floors so heat can be released. If you do have to have air conditioning, 25 degrees Celsius is a recommended setting. Also make sure that air conditioning is switched off overnight.
Heating
Ensure windows and doors are kept closed in the winter so warm air doesn’t escape. If it is too hot with your central heating on and you have to open windows, this can be a good indication that you are wasting electricity. In this case, you will need to check your thermostat settings to turn the temperature down if necessary and set a timer so the heating comes on and off at intermittent periods in the day. “The recommended temperature setting for an office is 19 degrees Celsius” (Easy Eco Auditing, McCarthy, 2008) in the winter. If your insulation is good, then you will not need to have your heating on very often. When summer comes, the central heating boiler can be switched off completely.
Heating water
If you have an electric boiler for your hot water, you should ensure there is a timer set, as most businesses will not need hot water all day and all night. Hot water boilers should be set to 60 degrees Celsius. It is always worth doing a reccy of your business property to look for any other electrical heating systems you may not be aware of. They may be on and costing you money, but may not actually be required. If they are needed, these may need insulating, upgrading or have the settings changed.
Light
Lighting can consume large amounts of electricity especially if halogen bulbs are used. Whereas a house fitted with old-fashioned tungsten bulbs will use up to five times more energy than a house fitted with energy saving bulbs, a house fitted with halogen bulbs can use up to 25 times more (McCarthy, Easy Eco Auditing, 2008). Replacing traditional bulbs with energy saving alternatives can give instant savings on your electricity bill. Switch off lights in empty rooms. They don’t need to be on if no-one is in there. Also consider removing lamps, if the normal lighting is on, lamps may not actually be required. Movement sensors could be installed in rooms which aren’t used much, and also used in security lighting.
Computers
A lot of businesses have already made the transition to flat screen monitors which “use a tenth of the energy of old bulky cathode ray tubes” (Easy Eco Auditing, McCarthy, 2008). So if you are still working on the old style monitors, consider investing in new modern flat screens to drastically cut electricity bills. McCarthy (2008) also states that laptops use only about one third of the energy that a traditional computer uses, so it could be worth investing in these if your business doesn’t require a full desk top PC. Or why not look into an EcoButton when you are not at your desk?
Education
Training your staff to consider their electricity use whilst at work is vitally important. Installing a green working ethos requires education. Staff should turn off lights and appliances when not required. If staff are unwilling, then timers can be installed on appliances and lighting. You can give responsibility to staff by creating Energy Champions. This could ensure that members of staff look after different aspects of energy management mentioned in this article.
Energy hierarchy
A great way to look at your electricity use in the big picture is to consider this energy hierarchy from the Good Green Guide for Small Businesses (2008, Impetus Consulting).
Choose a low carbon electricity supply
Changing to a green electricity supplier can help you get a greener supply of electricity from renewable resources such as wind power, hydro-power and solar power. If you want to stay with your current electricity supplier, you can change your tariff to a green tariff. This means that you may receive less electricity from a green source, compared to using a green energy company, but you will be helping to invest in the research, development and establishment of new green sources of electricity.
Carbon offsetting
You can choose to offset your carbon emissions from your electricity usage if you have the funds to do so. The Carbon Footprint website [2] is a useful tool for calculating your carbon footprint and offers advice on how to offset your emissions.
Business help
If you are stuck on where to go from here, there is help for businesses wishing to reduce their carbon footprint:
- The Carbon Trust [3] offer 0% business loans of £3,000 – £100,000 for organisations to invest in energy saving projects and also offer free Building Design Advice to support you in developing a low carbon solution.
- Envirowise [4] is a government initiative offers free, independent support to your organisation helping you to become more resource efficient and save money.
- The Energy Saving Trust [5] provides a range of resources to help your organisation reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Of course there are others but a quick web search will help you find local support.
