With climate change rarely out of the headlines, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to become more environmentally responsible – and cutting energy usage in the workplace can play a big role in this. As well as helping the planet, consuming less energy can help to boost companies’ bottom lines.
So, if you want to find ways to make your business greener and less wasteful, keep reading. In this blog, we outline three innovative ways to save energy in the office.
- Switch to LEDs and motion sensor lighting
Did you know that on average, a quarter of an organisation’s electricity costs come from lighting? One way to lower your energy usage is to make the switch from traditional lighting to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This could reduce your lighting bills by as much 80 per cent.
And there are other steps you can take when it comes to your lights too, including making sure they are only on when they need to be. As business utilities specialist Utility Bidder highlights, installing motion sensor systems can be an easy and effective way to achieve this because it means you don’t have to rely on people turning lights off manually.
- Incorporate green energy solutions
Mains gas and electricity are still the go-to power solutions for many businesses, but green energy alternatives are becoming increasingly widely available and economical. If you can, now might be the time to install renewable energy solutions that reduce your reliance on the grid, bring your bills down and help to protect the planet.
For example, you might be able to integrate solar photovoltaic panels into your power management system, or maybe you could fit solar thermal cells to give you hot water. You might even be able to install a wind turbine or two, depending on your location and the type of building you have.
- Appoint an ‘energy champion’
One of the challenges of making your workplace more energy-efficient is making sure your staff members are working towards this goal too. To help, why not appoint an ‘energy champion’ who is a naturally good motivator and will generate enthusiasm for energy-saving practices in your office. They can share ideas and help to shape people’s behaviour.
From making sure workers switch off their computers and other non-essential equipment such as printers and photocopiers at the end of the day, to keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, there are plenty of things your employees can do to help reduce energy usage.
Any actions you take to save energy in your workplace might seem small and insignificant on their own, but taken together, they can have a big impact on your business’ carbon footprint and your bills.
