Energy-saving devices for businesses

If you’re running a business, you’ll know that keeping an eye on your spending is a top priority. Cutting energy costs not only helps you save money but can also reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

Here are some simple energy-efficient devices that can be used in the workplace to reduce your business’s energy spending.

Sofia Hutson

From the Energy team

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Posted 1 DECEMBER 2020

Energy-saving devices for your business

Energy-saving devices could help you cut down on your energy usage without making big changes to the workplace.

An energy-saving meter monitor
An energy-saving meter monitor could help you cut down on unnecessary energy usage. This handy gadget can track the energy usage of your office devices in real-time. You’ll be able to see which ones are using the most energy and work out ways to operate them more efficiently.

Radiator boosters and automatic bleeders
Maximise the heating around work areas with a radiator booster. This simple-yet-effective device sits on top of the radiator and helps to spread heat more evenly around the room.

Automatic bleeders regularly release any trapped air stuck in your radiators, enabling them to work more efficiently.

Radiator foil
Purpose-made foil can be placed behind radiators to radiate heat back into rooms, rather than it being lost into the walls.

Thermal strips
Fit self-adhesive thermal strips around doors and windows to reduce draughts. Simple draught-proofing measures could help to save up to 30% on heating costs.

Timers and sensors
Timers are easy to install and very low cost. Timer switches can be used to turn off lights after working hours.

Install occupancy sensors in places that only need to be lit when in use, such as storerooms, corridors and toilets. This could cut energy use from lighting by 30%.

LED lighting
Replace any old-style lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED lightbulbs. LED lights use up to 90% less electricity, produce a lot less heat and last up to three times longer than compact fluorescents (CDL).

Office equipment
Consider using laptops rather than PCs. Laptops use a lot less energy and can be easily hooked up to a desktop monitor.

If you still have CRT monitors, replace them with modern flat-screen models, which are far more energy efficient. Flat screens could cut monitor running costs by 50%. They also take up less space and don’t damage your eyes as much.

When buying a new printer, do your homework and invest in an energy-efficient model, as efficiency ratings vary. Consider using one communal printer instead of having individual printers idling on standby for most of the day.

Smart power strips
Smart power strips can be used to monitor devices and turn them off when they’ve been left in standby mode for a certain length of time. They’re a good way to make sure devices are shut down properly at the end of the working day.

Small changes can make a big impact on your energy efficiency, which in turn could help lower your business energy bills.

Tops tips to save energy in the workplace

One of the easiest ways to save energy in the workplace is to encourage your staff to really think about their energy usage and change their habits.

Encourage everyone to turn off lights in rooms when they’re not in use, such as toilets, store-cupboards and meeting rooms.
Remind employees to switch off their computer monitors when they go for breaks and at the end of their working day. Turning down the brightness of monitors can also reduce energy use, not to mention eye strain.

Have one member of staff work as an ‘energy monitor’ with access to the thermostat. This prevents everyone in the office from constantly adjusting it.
Either open the windows or use air conditioning when the weather is warm – don’t do both at the same time.
Encourage staff to print on both sides of sheets of paper. This should save energy and cut stationery costs.

Saving energy during coronavirus

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many offices will be temporarily shut down. If your office is still open but being run by a skeleton workforce, remember to make sure all lights and computer monitors on unused floors and workstations are turned off, and turn thermostats down in rooms that aren’t being used.

Read our 21 useful tips to save on energy bills during coronavirus both in the office and at home.

Bigger energy-saving changes

Some changes may cost a lot initially, but they are worthy investments that could make a big impact on your energy costs in the future.

Power management software – This links to your computer systems and can reduce the amount of power used. The smart technology adapts the amount of electricity in line with working day habits – for example, at the start of a shift and at lunchtime.
External hosting – With Cloud-based technologies, it’s increasingly possible to have external companies host your systems so that you log in to them remotely. This ‘sharing’ of a remote resource allows you not only to spend less money upfront on systems, but also to reduce the power usage needed to run them.

Solar power – If you own the building where your company’s based, you might want to consider installing solar panels. As well as reducing your carbon footprint, solar power could help lower your energy bills while also giving you ‘green’ credentials.
Skylights – If you’re planning an office refurb, think about installing skylights where possible. Not only do they reduce the need for artificial lighting, but the natural light source helps to create a more pleasant working environment, helping to improve staff morale and productivity.

It’s worth running an audit on your company’s energy usage to find out when and how energy is being used, and to work out where it’s being wasted. Once you’ve identified where energy is being wasted, you can put systems in place to make your business more energy efficient and save money.

Finally, check the business energy tariff you’re on. If you’ve been with the same supplier for a while, you may not be on their best tariff. Now could be the time to compare business energy suppliers and switch to a cheaper deal.