Energy Efficiency
By adopting a whole business approach to energy efficiency, your business can ensure it is using energy resources more efficiently and reduce its energy bills and impact on the environment.
Green Energy
Being "green" has never had a higher profile. So by using energy more wisely and looking at alternative energy sources, you are not only doing your bit for the enviromnent, you are giving a competitive edge to your company and saving money too! Read More...
Tips for saving energy - Hands on tips that cost little or nothing to implement
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Switch off lights when not needed. It is not cheaper to leave them on. Staff should be asked to switch off lights as they leave rooms and to use natural daylight wherever possible instead of artificial lighting.
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Use energy efficient light bulbs. You should replace ordinary tungsten light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. They last eight times longer and use 70% less energy. When replacing fluorescent tubes, T8 tubes (26mm diameter) should be used wherever possible instead of the larger diameter T12 tubes (38 mm diameter). Unfortunately, certain light fittings will only accept T12 tubes. It is not cost effective to replace these fittings on energy conservation grounds alone. You should wait until rewiring work takes place in a particular area. T12 tubes should only be installed where fittings dictate it to be necessary. As a guide, older fluorescent light fittings with plug-in starter canisters can be fitted with T8 tubes, while those without cannot.
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Cut the power consumption of computers and ICT equipment. You can achieve this in a number of ways. i] Activate "power down" or energy saving devices during the working day (screen savers do not save energy and some use more). ii] Switch equipment off at the end of the day. iii] Buy the most energy efficient equipment.
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Don't overheat rooms. An extra 1oC in a room's temperature will increase a heating bill by 6-10%.
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Buy Energy Efficient Appliances. Look for those with either the 'energy efficiency logo' or a category 'A' or 'A*' rating.
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Fancy a cupper? Well only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need!
Hospitality Businesses
- Towel Policy - Only change towels when necessary, advertise this to your customers and the reasons why you are doing this.
- If changing / upgrading sanitary ware install electric showers as opposed to Power Showers. Check out Aerated heads to add strength to the splash using air instead of water.
- Use controllable thermostats on each radiator.
- Use small kettles in the rooms which will boil a single cup.
- Use fully lined and floor length curtains to retain heat wherever possible.
- Only heat occupied rooms as and when they are required.
