Power saving tips for businesses
Even during the chilly winter months, businesses can make substantial savings on their power bills by using simple
energy saving tips that people use in their homes.
“Most businesses could potentially reduce their energy costs by at least 20% with just a few small changes,” says Simon
Young from electricity company Utilise.
This includes everything from switching to energy efficient light bulbs, installing good quality curtains or blinds to
keep heat in, and stopping draughts, through to knowing exactly where your company’s weekly power usage is going.
Young says while people are conscious of conserving power in their homes, when they go to work they tend to think less
about electricity usage and often overlook opportunities for potential savings.
“You can start with the simple stuff like installing timers on heating equipment and movement sensors on lights so they
are only in use when people are in the office – and simplest of all, switch to energy efficient lights bulbs.
“Lumens are in, watts are out,” says Young of the difference between the amount of light a bulb emits versus the amount
of electricity it uses. “So look for bulbs which deliver the lumens you need. Take a look at exit signs as well, they
tend to use a lot of power, so retrofitting them or upgrading them to run off of LED lights can help save you power.”
Young says as well as the simple fixes, a key way to make savings in winter is for businesses to understand their power
habits, especially in terms of how much energy areas such as heating, lighting, and machinery use.
“Once companies break down their usage, they can identify what needs improving first,” he says.
For example, around 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings goes into providing a comfortable work temperature
for employees with a combination of heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
“Scheduling regular maintenance for heating and air conditioning systems is essential because dirty and clogged units
reduce efficiency which lead to bigger power bills. Then there’s things like improving the efficiency of hot water use
and ensuring your office or building is properly insulated – those improvements all help reduce energy costs.”
ENDS