Understand your energy use
Energy use at your workplace is a real controllable for businesses. It’s a great way to start reducing operating costs
Look at all the types of energy you’re using and what you’re using it for: electricity, gas, and any other fuels used at your workplace. Ask your retailers for a graph of your energy use for the last 24 months if it’s not already included with your bill.
Understanding your energy use helps you set a baseline and find where savings can be made.
Using less energy
Just like at home there are many small tweaks to save energy and reduce costs. Here’s a few quick ideas.
- Switch off computers and other equipment when not in use.
- Install sensors or timers to turn lights on only when needed.
- Set your heating to the right temperature for the spaces you have.
- Do regular maintenance of heating and other equipment –tune-ups are cheaper than buying new.
- Fix drafts, insulate floors and ceilings, hot water tanks and pipes.
You can find much more information about business energy efficiency on the EECA website.
Heat and cool your office efficiently
Understand your heating systems
Check your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are configured efficiently to cut costs, reduce emissions, and increase productivity.
Find out about your system:
- The fuel used (e.g. electricity, gas, solid fuel).
- If heating is central, or room-by-room.
- If heating is using a thermostat.
Small changes to when systems switch on can make a big difference to energy use.
- Set heating to run at 20°C and under.
- Set cooling to run at 24°C and over.
- Have no heating or cooling for 21 to 23°C.
Check doors, windows, and blinds before adjusting heating – close windows and maximise natural light before turning up heating.
Consider upgrading heating systems
Upgrading inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can save money on running costs and reduce emissions.
Seek advice if you have:
- difficulties with temperature control
- excess noise
- sudden increases in your energy bills
- issues that need recurring repairs.
Think about upfront costs, running costs, and future savings. Ideally switch to electric systems to reduce carbon emissions.
Why take this action
- Save money. Around a quarter of your building’s energy spend goes on heating and cooling.
- Increase productivity. An office at the right temperature with clean air makes staff more comfortable and satisfied. It may also reduce sick days.
- Reduce emissions.
Switch up your lighting
LED lighting uses up to 90% less power than traditional lightbulbs, plus they last much longer reducing maintenance costs. Improving lighting saves money and improves comfort, productivity and security for your staff. Switching to LED lighting quickly pays for itself with energy savings.
Tips for making the most of your lighting:
- Ask your staff for feedback, e.g. if spaces are too dim or too bright.
- Check timers, sensors and motion-control features are used correctly. Only light areas when they’re in use.
- Make sure light switches are visible. Use reminders like stickers or posters.
- Improve convenience, safety and security. Motion sensors and timers give your staff lighting when they need it.
- Re-organise your workspace to make more use of natural light.
Keeping things cold and hot
Use commercial refrigeration more efficiently
Refrigeration can make up a big chunk of your electricity bill — up to 50% for a food business! Improve efficiency to save money, reduce emissions, and avoid harmful gas leaks.
Using gas for process heat? Consider electric
Gas process heat includes steam, hot water and hot gases used in industrial processes, and use of heat for manufacturing, processing raw materials, and growing plants indoors. Transitioning process heat from gas to electric is great for reducing emissions and having greater price certainty.
Reduce waste in your office and operations
Measure what is going to landfill and to recycling, set realistic reduction targets, and build habits and systems that keep valuable materials in use.
- Over 2 weeks, measure the types of waste your business produces.
- Use this result to estimate your yearly baseline, then set realistic reduction goals such as 10%, 20% or 30%.
- Improve separation and collection so materials are easier to recycle or recover. Check with your local council about disposal options for different types of waste.
- Ask staff for ideas and make progress visible through signs, dashboards or shared tracking sheets.
- Consider how things will eventually be disposed of when you order supplies. Review what you buy, how long it lasts, how it is used, and what happens when it reaches end of life. Talk to suppliers about their sustainability commitments.
Support energy saving habits
Simple changes can help you save money, use less energy, and be more resilient to rising energy costs. Make saving energy part of how you work.
Staff choices can have a big impact on energy use, especially around avoiding wasted power usage. Switch off what you’re not using. Turn off lights, computers, printers and appliances when they’re not needed. Smart plugs, timers and power management settings can make this easier.
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