James Moore, director at Bishop’s Stortford-based Genmar IT, writes for the Indie…
It’s no secret that the cost of energy is rising. The good news is there are ways to reduce office energy use and lower costs without sacrificing productivity or comfort.
Here are four simple ways you can make sure your office is as efficient as possible.
Air conditioning
A single AC unit consumes, on average, 1.5kW per hour. With the new energy tariffs this would cost around 78p per hour. Over a typical work week this adds up to more than £30.
Turn off the air conditioning when not needed. Set timers or temperature sensors to automatically turn off AC units when not required.
Close windows and doors to reduce heat loss. Use window blinds to stop excess heat from entering the building.
Lighting
Update your lighting. Since the advent of LED and CFL light bulbs it’s been much easier to find sustainable options for offices that reduce energy use.
LED bulbs use around ⅓ of the energy of an incandescent bulb and last more than 10 times as long.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Whenever possible, use timers or smart sensors to turn off lights when not in use.
Computers
A typical desktop computer will consume around 100W when turned on. If left on 24/7 this would cost more than £8.50 per week.
If the computer is set to hibernate after 15 minutes of inactivity, this drops down to just over £2 per week.
Buy more efficient equipment
Energy Star-certified computers and peripherals have been tested for their energy efficiency and can save you money on your utility bills.
Choose a laptop over a desktop computer whenever possible. Laptops use on average five times less energy than a desktop computer.
Reducing office energy use is an important part of being a sustainable company. Not only does it help save money, but it’s better for the environment too.
We hope that by providing you with these tips on how to reduce energy use in your office space we’ve helped motivate you to start making changes today.
To find out more about Genmar, visit genmar.co.uk.
