Energy saving in the workplace

January 5, 2023

Energy saving has been a much discussed topic in the UK. In September 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that the present energy crisis is hitting the UK the hardest out of all the countries in Western Europe. Experts believe that the dependence on gas- generated energy for heating and electricity is to blame for this phenomenon.

The Ukraine war skyrocketed the prices of this commodity. Every household and business in the UK is feeling the brunt. The situation is especially worrying with the 2022/23 winter lurking on the horizon. Upon assessing the impact of this crisis, the IMF projected that the average household will lose approximately 8.3% of its total spending power in 2022 due to higher energy bills. The cost for businesses is much higher.

One study by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) shows that companies in the leisure and hospitality sector are paying roughly 58% more for their energy needs. This alone shows that drastic measures are needed to address the situation. Energy-saving measures bring a ray of hope and are essential for the overall conservation of precious resources and of course to save costs.

The law and energy efficiency

Most companies around the globe are in a race against time to get their businesses zero – or low – carbon compliant. In the UK, most properties entering the market must possess a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Non-energy-efficient buildings generate higher costs. An EPC determines the energy-efficiency level of a property and includes things such as hot water and lighting systems.

A qualified and authorised person runs these inspections and issues the certificate when a property is rented or sold. An EPC is valid for 10 years and requires renewal before marketing a property.

The Climate Change Act 2008 legally obliges the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of its 1990 levels – meaning net zero – by 2050. Implementing energy saving measures goes a long way towards helping achieve this goal.

Energy saving measures for your business

The British Energy Security Strategy maintains that reducing energy needs through practical steps can save a household up to £300 a year. Just imagine how much your business can save.

In the UK, the government is investing more than £6bn to decarbonise buildings. Additionally, the government estimates that energy-efficient measures can lower heating expenses by approximately 20% and start limiting the UK’s reliance on foreign gas. These include steps such as insulation, energy-friendly light bulbs, and cavity walling.

Heating and cooling steps

Although necessary, the heating and cooling of buildings use lots of energy. Any energy-saving measure in this regard can help make a difference. Something as simple as lowering the thermostat by just 1° can realise annual savings of up to 10%.

Experts advise that people dress according to the season. For instance, wearing T-shirts indoors during winter wastes energy as thermostats are set high to keep people warm. Also, layers in winter help people dress up or down according to their needs.

When cooling or heating a room, keep doors and windows closed. You can also turn off cooling units and open windows during summer for adequate ventilation. This also helps to limit the use of air conditioning systems. Keep your thermostat between 20° and 23° as it’s the optimal comfort level for indoor facilities.

Set the timers on your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to turn off systems before people arrive or leave the building at regular hours to conserve heat or cooling. Also, check the building’s structure and attend to any draughts that cause the loss of generated energy.

Weather strips on doors and around windows prevent air from escaping while using an air conditioner. This helps keep the room at a more stable temperature.

Lighting systems

Lighting accounts for roughly 15% of a company’s energy bill. Astoundingly, an estimated half of businesses leave the lights on overnight and at weekends when no one is there. This practice wastes a lot of energy and money.

You can easily cut down your lighting costs by installing energy-efficient light bulbs and investing in auto-off options in case people forget to switch off lights. As well as using natural light when possible, your business can also: 

• Convert to long-lasting LED bulbs.
• Install timers to automatically switch off all lights at the end of a workday.
• Keep light fittings clean for optimal lighting.
• Arrange desks to be near natural daylight sources.

Equipment

Office equipment consumes lots of electricity. A large outfit has many people using devices such as personal computers, phones, copiers and printers. Without energy-saving measures, these consume electricity at a rapid rate.

• You can set office computers to go to sleep mode after a lapse of time of not being used. Remember, this is a temporary energy-saving tip and you must still shut down these devices at the end of the day. 
• Contemporary computers and displays have an energy-saving mode. Use these to conserve electricity and money.
• We live in a digitised age when we can easily share things through Google Docs and emails. So, don’t print a document unless it’s absolutely crucial. You’ll be saving both energy and paper.
• Check the energy ratings of equipment you acquire for your business. Remember, energy-efficient devices use between 50% and 90% less electricity than older models. This should be one of your main considerations when acquiring new systems.

Office kitchens

Many people forget that kitchen appliances use a lot of electricity, regardless of whether the business facility is small or large. A few practical energy-efficient tips can help you save energy in your kitchen.

• Ensure that all taps are closed properly, and repair leaking faucets. This will eliminate waste and save energy on water heating systems.
• A small gap of at least 10cm between a fridge and a wall creates good ventilation. Generated heat escapes much easier, saving electricity and money.
• It’s a good idea to switch off appliances at the switch when not in use. Although they don’t drain much electricity, every little bit helps.
• Never overfill the kettle because it uses electricity to boil unused water. Reports indicate that most people fill the kettle with double the water they actually use. Descaling kettles also helps to conserve energy.

Warehouses

Warehouses use a huge amount of energy to maintain constant productivity levels. Energy bills are one of the highest expenses for any warehouse so it’s a good idea to reduce these costs where possible.

• Fluorescent bulbs and metal halides may be cheap to purchase but they are extremely inefficient to run. Consider upgrading to LED light bulbs that will reduce power consumption and need replacing less frequently.
• Manual moving equipment such as pallet trucks and transport dollies provide low-cost and energy-efficient warehouse solutions. Try and reserve powered trucks for heavier loads, longer distances and more repetitive tasks.
• Ensure warehouse equipment is powered off or in energy-saving mode when not in use. Leaving equipment running when not in use, such as a conveyor belt, consumes a lot of energy.
• Arrange to have your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems inspected by an  HVAC contractor. They can check filters and duct work to ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently.

Workshops

Workshops are another high-energy area. Save electricity by altering settings on equipment and repairing any leaks or faulty pipework. You’ll be surprised how much steam energy escapes through the smallest holes.

Involve all employees

It’s a good idea to openly discuss the energy crisis with your workforce and ask them to actively try and save energy. You can further avoid energy waste by going paperless, effectively positioning chilled cabinets, and swapping kettles for hot/cold water machines.

Energy saving signs are a great way to remind people of this. Our range of energy signs can be positioned throughout your business and display prompts to switch off lights, appliances and equipment. They are vivid and visible, serving as constant reminders. After all, energy efficiency is everyone’s responsibility.