Energy Saving Tip of the Month
Easy no-cost energy-saving tips
You can start saving up to 10% on your energy bill by implementing some easy and free energy-savings actions.
If your staff get involved in the effort, this could be the fastest way for your business to improve its bottom line.
See the savings
- Keep track of your bills
- Look at how your bills change when you introduce our energy-saving tips – work out if you can re-invest savings into new energy efficiency activities.
During business hours
- Turn off any equipment not in use
- Pull up window shades to make the most of natural light
- Turn off any non-essential lights in cupboards, toilets and foyers
- Don’t use heating or air conditioning if the windows and doors are open.
After hours
- Ask cleaners to make sure they turn the lights off when they leave
- Only keep lights on that are needed for safety and security
- Make sure fridge and freezer doors are closed
- Can any semi-full fridges be emptied into another and turned off?
- Turn off computers and other equipment not in use – this saves energy and prolongs the life of your equipment.
Change the way you use equipment
- If you can, use energy-hungry equipment during off-peak hours. Talk to your energy supplier about off-peak rates and times
- Think creatively about spotting new energy-saving opportunities. For example, a motel could cut the number of washing and dryer loads by not changing the towels every day if guests are staying more than one night
- Don’t position fridges, freezers and chillers in the sun or close to ovens.
Use timers and thermostats
- Timers on lights, hot water , boiling water dispensers, air conditioners and heaters make sure energy isn’t wasted
- Check the thermostats on devices that have them. If they are set higher than they need to be you are wasting energy
- For example hot water cylinders should be set at 60oC (55oC at the tap).
Get your staff and colleagues involved
- Getting the team involved is necessary for the success of your energy savings programme
- Lead by example, and give others the knowledge to do the same
- Read our tips for increasing awareness and motivation and download resources.
Implement a “Switch Off” campaign
- Actively encourage staff to switch off equipment when not in use, preferably at the wall. This includes lights, machinery, office equipment, electrical appliances and air compressors.
- Agree on a “Switch Off” target, such as a 5% reduction in the annual energy bill.
- To keep momentum going, schedule “Switch Off” drives’to remind colleagues about the campaign.
- Help raise awareness about your programme with posters and stickers:
- Download the “Switch Off” poster
- You can also request “Switch Off” stickers by email.
Tune-up your buildings and plant
- Tune-ups can be done at little or no extra cost, as they involve changing existing equipment rather than buying new things. Make one staff member responsible for your business’s tune-up plan.
- Ask your colleagues, electrician, plumber and other contractors for tune-up ideas. Book tune-ups into your maintenance schedule over the next 12 months.
- Tune-ups include:
- setting your hot water cylinder to 60oC
- setting computers and office equipment to go into ‘standby’ after 10 minutes
- cleaning equipment and replacing filters
- re-arranging office, shop or workshop layouts to maximise natural light and ventilation
- disconnecting unused appliances.
Use low-cost energy efficiency products
- Energy efficient appliances often cost the same or only slightly more than less efficient options. Before purchasing, always compare any extra cost with the amount you’ll save each year.
- Install products such as energy-efficient lights and hot water cylinder wraps before winter if possible.
