09/05/2022 TotalEnergies Gas & Power
Energy saving tips for your workplace
To help save money, here's a selection of useful tips that can help with energy efficiency in your workplace.
Heating (and cooling)
- Heating costs can increase by over 30% if your boiler is not properly maintained, so be sure to service your boiler annually.
- Use a seven day timer so heating can be turned off or down during regular unoccupied periods.
- Reducing heating temperatures by just 1c can cut fuel consumption by 8%.
- Don’t let heating and cooling operate at the same time! Set a temperature control ‘dead band’ so heating switches off when the temperature reaches 19c and cooling doesn’t start until the temperature exceeds 24c. (Source)
Office equipment
- Switching computers off outside core hours can reduce energy usage by up to 75%.
- When buying new IT equipment, it’s worth remembering that some laptops typically use 85% less electricity over a year than a desktop. (Source)
- Older kitchen equipment such as fridges can be far less efficient than newer models, so replace if necessary.
- Switch off all non-essential equipment at the end of the day. A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to make over 5,000 A4 copies!
Lighting
- Newer ‘high frequency’ fluorescent lighting eliminates flicker and hum, extends lamp life and can reduce power consumption by around 25%.
- Consider installing more switches for greater control over banks of lights.
- Without regular maintenance, light levels can fall by up to 30% in 2-3years. Establishing a basic lighting maintenance programme can reduce costs by up to 15% - while improving office appearance. (Source)
- Switch to LEDs where you can – they consume around 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. (Source)
Track your energy
- Check your meter readings and invoices regularly to understand your energy use – and help identify and address any unexpected changes.
- Involve your staff with energy saving efforts – posters, meetings and even targets can help everyone remember to make small changes.
- A smart meter can help you take greater control of your energy use, and eliminates estimated bills.
Solar
- Investing in solar panels can be an effective way to reduce carbon emissions and limit exposure to market price volatility.
- They can also help boost your eco-credentials and reduce your reliance on the grid.
- A single solar panel can produce between 700 and 900 kWh each year.