Any business owner knows how important it is to streamline costs and outgoings in order to maximise profits. Therefore, it is key to your company’s survival that you keep on top of the money you spend and ensure that not a penny goes to waste. Most of us are guilty of wasting a lot of energy, both in our homes and at work, and that energy does not only cost us a considerable amount of money, it is also damaging to our environment.
So, we have put together 4 steps that can help you to reduce energy waste at the office, to both save money and help save the planet.
Switch to Energy Efficient Equipment
Modern society is a lot more conscious of the damage that we are causing to the environment than ever before, which is reflected in the development of energy-efficient equipment and technology. While it will cost you money to upgrade your equipment, it will help you to save money in the long run as energy-efficient equipment is cheaper to run. Energy-efficient equipment can include printers, photocopiers, scanners, and any item with the energy star logo on it.
If you are looking for some extra tips for managing energy expenses, then there are many options to choose from, including changing your energy supplier. Comparing suppliers to find the best deal could make your energy-efficient equipment even cheaper to run.
Open the Windows Instead of Using Air Conditioning in the Summer
When the weather gets warmer in the summer, it can be tempting to get out the fans or turn on the air conditioning, but this will make your energy costs and usage skyrocketed. Fans and air conditioning units often get left on for long periods of time, and you could be wasting energy changing the temperature in an empty room.
Instead, you should switch off the air conditioning and open up the windows to encourage as much as fresh air in the office as possible. Fresh air is free of charge and will also help to make your employees feel more alert and awake.
Encourage Natural Lighting
Make sure your office space has plenty of access to natural light, to reduce the use of overhead lighting and the risk that it will be left on and waste energy. See if you can remove any blinds, curtains, or obstructions that are blocking natural light from filling your offices.
Natural lighting has proven to make people more productive and increase awareness as well as generally improve people’s moods. So, increasing the amount of natural lighting in your office space may also help to increase productivity while saving money.
Turn Everything Off at the End of the Day
Before you leave for home at the end of your working day, you should take the time to make sure that all electric appliances and equipment have been powered down and turned off. No matter how energy efficient an appliance is, if it’s left on at night, it is a waste of energy. Think about creating a close down procedure for your office, so that everyone knows what to turn off before they leave at the end of the day.
Do not be fooled by standby modes on your electrical devices, such as televisions or monitors, as they will still use electricity through the night, and this wastage soon adds up through the weeks, months, and years.
Energy wastage can cost businesses hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year, and by implementing a few simple but effective energy-saving steps, you can not only save your business money, but you can also help protect the environment for you, your business, and the community.