Step-by-step energy saving
For many business, energy consumption can easily be reduced through simple steps which will not affect the business' core activities.
Energy Audit
Before a business can start to reduce energy use it is essential to understand how and why energy is used within the organisation. This will also establish how much energy is consumed, when energy use peaks, help to identify inefficient equipment, and how much energy costs.
This should also allow the business to become aware if there are any aspects of its energy use that is covered by legislation . For more information see EiE's energy legislation pages.
An energy audit from EiE can help you understand how your organisation uses energy and the costs of energy. Energy can also have 'hidden costs'. High energy consumption can highlight underlying inefficient processes which also waste staff hours. An energy audit can help you identify all the costs associated with energy use, before guiding you through methods for reducing energy use.
Identifying ways to reduce energy use
Once a business understands how it uses energy it creates it can start to take steps to reduce energy consumption.
EiE's energy pages provides some useful general advice on reducing energy use through steps that will not affect the core activities of an organisation. EiE's energy audits and workshops also include tailored advice and recommendations on saving energy.
Identifying new contracts and new equipment
Once you have identified how your organisation uses energy, and have taken steps to reduce energy use it may be appropriate to replace equipment with more efficient alternatives.
As the cost of energy varies depending on the supplier, it may also be possible to identify lower cost contracts for your energy supply. For example for a business that uses a large amount of energy overnight, a specific low cost off peak contract may be more appropriate than a general energy contract.
EiE can provide information on energy efficient equipment from lighting to heating, as well as IT and other specialist business equipment. For more information contact us.
Implement contracts
Once suitable contracts have been identified these contracts need to be implemented. Most energy companies will be happy to discuss how contracts can be applied and make the process of switching supplier as easy as possible.
Communication
For any organisation one of the most important steps in reducing energy consumption is to ensure that all staff members are aware of the steps that are being taken. It is also important to show staff not just how, but why changes are being made. Making staff aware of savings, and demonstrating how savings are reinvested can be very successful in convincing staff to engage fully in new energy reduction schemes.
For some organisations highlighting the environmental impacts of energy use can also help staff understand why reducing consumption is important. For more information visit EiE's environmental impacts of energy use pages.
EiE can help you to develop a communication strategy tailored to your staff and requirements. For more advice contact EiE directly.
Monitoring
Once a new system is in place it is important to continue monitoring to ensure that energy is being saved and that any reduction in energy consumption is permanent (rather than being a temporarily reduction when a new system is put in place, before rising again as staff go back to 'old habits').
For any new system there is likely to be a period of transition. However, if after an extended period a new system is not operating as predicted it is important to change the system - it may be necessary to review staff communication or reassess the details of energy saving steps.
Ongoing monitoring
It is equally important to continue the process of monitoring after you have implemented an energy saving plan. Energy costs rise, meaning the best value contracts change with time. New staff and new equipment may change the way energy is used and ongoing monitoring allows a business to be aware of any increases.
