How to switch on to energy efficiency

Getting started on reducing your energy consumption can cost nothing and here's six simple steps from Utility Auditing that could reduce your overall energy costs.

With energy bills having doubled over the past twelve months, there is both a powerful financial and environmental need to switch on to energy efficiency and drive down those harmful carbon emissions, says energy management business Utility Auditing (UAL).

"UK workplaces generate over 66 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year from the energy and resources they consume, yet there is plenty employees and employers can do", said Jeff Wealands, UAL technical director.

Getting started on reducing your energy consumption can cost nothing and here's six simple steps you could take to reduce your overall energy costs.

The government states that businesses which implement energy efficiency improvements are typically cutting their emissions - and therefore cutting their bills - by one fifth.

1.

Government research shows that up to 20% of business energy is wasted.

Companies spending in excess of £50,000 per year will qualify for a free energy efficiency survey from the Carbon Trust.

2.

Lighting in a typical office costs about £3 per square metre annually.

Energy efficiency could help you cut your annual lighting bills by two thirds.

Energy efficient lighting solutions combined with timers, sensors and controls can help you make dramatic bottom line savings.

3.

Heating costs rise by about 8% for each degree celsius of overheating.

Check thermostat settings regularly.

The recommended heating level for shops, restaurants and offices is 19 degrees Celsius.

4.

Measure how much energy you're using so that you can see what impact any energy saving measures have on your business.

'Smart metering' - the modern monitoring technology - is now highly affordable to all sizes of business - giving you instant access to quality, timely data that will give you a full picture of your energy consumption.

5.

Switch off equipment when it's not in use.

According to the Carbon Trust, an average office wastes £6,000 each year by leaving equipment on over weekends and bank holidays.

Just getting your employees to turn off their monitors when they go home can make a big difference.

6.

Make the most of natural light.

It's free and it won't damage the environment.

So keep your windows clear, and make the most of the daylight.

Utility Auditing can offer organisations all the help they need to become more energy efficient through smart metering monitoring solutions and Carbon Trust services.

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