Saving energy

Saving money on energy doesn’t just mean finding the right tariff from the right supplier – you can cut costs by being energy efficient too. As well as saving money, you’ll be reducing carbon emissions and be giving yourself a business edge over the competition because cutting down on business gas and electricity costs nothing.

Read our expert advice below – and you’ll soon be seeing smaller bills and bigger profit margins.

PH Energy Services’ top ten tips for saving energy

1.Turn off office equipment when not in use 
It’s easy to forget just how much energy items left on – and even those left on standby – use. So remember to have a ‘switch off’ policy that includes overnight, at weekends and during bank and seasonal holidays. This includes everything from computers and printers to fans and desk lights. Savings on just a single computer and monitor could be up to £35 a year.

2. Turn out those lights
This is a habit you and your staff and clients need to get into. If no one is using that room – there’s no need to pay out for lighting. Some areas have very low use too – so it’s even more important in areas such as store rooms and toilets. This can save on your electricity cost by as much as 15%. Other ways to achieve this saving include adding reminder notices and fitting automatic sensors that switch lights on/off according to use.

3. Taps off too – and no drips
A constantly dripping tap can cost your business about £400 per year in wasted water. Make sure you turn off taps fully and fix any drips or leaks promptly.

4. One degree of energy saving
It’s unlikely that anyone using your building would notice a change in temperature of just one degree, but this move could save you up to 8% on your company’s heating bill – so turn down that thermostat ever so slightly. Always let your staff and any other users of the premises know in advance though – as they may want to bring an extra layer.

5. Standby isn’t good enough
Switch off all appliances at the plug point rather than the on/off switch on the appliance itself.  Equipment on the standby function is using electricity – and this can actually amount to a massive 6% of your energy usage. This applies to everything from photocopiers to microwaves and TVs.

6. Cut kitchen waste
There’s lots of ways to save electricity in the staff kitchen area – and you need to let everyone know them! A top tip here is to only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle – not a whole load more. Also check the fridge every now and then to make sure it’s not home to lots of leftovers that no one has any intention of eating – a packed fridge means air can’t circulate and the tit is inefficient to run.

7.Have a light bulb moment
Fit energy saving light bulbs where you can. For strip and spot lights – only have the lights on that you really need. If your premises has large windows use as much of this natural light source as possible.

8. Timing is everything
A timer clock that controls your heating and hot water is essential to save energy. Avoid having heating on when no one is occupying the building and remember to adjust it for overnight, weekends and holidays. Try just having the heating on for a maximum of 30 minutes before staff and guests arrive. Adjust the timer to account for seasonal changes in temperature and daylight hours too.

9. Keep it closed
Encourage staff to shut doors – particularly exterior doors. Use reminder notices to keep the message getting through as staff and customers come and go. Automatic doors are great for this energy-saving method too. You’re throwing money away if you’re effectively letting the heat you’ve paid for escape and heating the outdoors instead.

10. Air con advice
Air conditioning can be very expensive, and is often rarely needed in the UK. Check how and where it is being used = and that is is being used appropriately. Avoid making rooms very cold, forcing staff to wear extra clothes to keep warm – and make sure the air con isn’t on when windows are open.