November 7, 2011

Help Your Business to Make Own Savings

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 1:31 pm

With lots of confusion over the FiT payments, and the proposed change for reducing the amounts paid when excess energy is sold to the national grid, it is now an opportune time to remind business consumers how they can reduce their electricity and gas bills.

It really isn’t anything amazing.  The simple fact is that when less energy is consumed, then the bill will be lower.  As we are approaching the cold winter months the more control taken over electricity and gas usage now will reap benefits when the bill is received.

There are many different ways in which your business will be able to save energy and money but for today let’s start with three suggestions.

Staff Co-operation

Depending on the size of the business, staff members can be the worst culprits when it comes to wasting electricity.  It’s not deliberate but through a lack of thought.  If they live with parents at home, or share a property with other people, they may not realise the cost of electricity and gas.

There are a couple of alternative ways to remind staff members to consider the cost.  There could be little notices in the areas where the most energy is consumed, but notes aren’t the best way to achieve the greatest result.  The best way to get assistance from staff members is to have a short meeting and explain the necessity for vigilance in their usage of energy.  See if one person will be responsible for reminding others where they can save money.   Ask that person to make sure that lights aren’t left on when a room isn’t being used.  Only heat enough water for the number of drinks being made – kettles use a huge amount of energy. Ensure that all non-essential equipment is switched off completely overnight.

Low Energy Light Bulbs

Change to low energy light bulbs and this will greatly reduce the amount of electricity being consumed.  The LED light bulb can last for up to 50,000 hours so for an office working 40 hours each week a single LED bulb may last about twenty years.  A conventional light bulb wastes much of the electricity as the bulb becomes hot.  A LED bulb doesn’t heat up therefore energy isn’t wasted.

Whenever possible in the office ensure that all blinds and curtains are open for as much time as possible.  This obviously is more likely during the summer months, but even in the bright sunlight some offices still switch the lights on which is unnecessary.

Central Heating

Try to turn down the central heating thermostat by one degree.  This can reduce heating costs by approximately eight per cent.  If the temperature is around nineteen degrees Centigrade, then this should be comfortable for staff members.  If there are a large number of radiators close to each other switch off one or two of them.  Don’t heat empty rooms.

These are ideas which can be implemented at little cost.  The sooner they can be started the more savings will be made.

November 3, 2011

Help Yourself – To Reduce Costs

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 11:55 am

There is a considerable amount of information which gives details of renewable energy sources as well as the government’s green deal.   Leaflets and emails are being sent about loft and cavity wall insulation.   Even with all the publicity, it is surprising how many people still aren’t aware of the need to save energy.  Interestingly, the younger the person, the more knowledge they appear to have, although whether it is purely superficial and acquired from news headlines hasn’t been clarified.

We are fortunate that we are into November with the weather still relatively mild, which is a bonus.  Every week we can manage without needing the central heating being switch on for too long is a distinct advantage.  The average gas and electric bills for each household is now approximately £1300 per annum according to the latest figures available after the last increases by the energy suppliers.  Many people pay for their energy by direct debit and have a dual-fuel tariff as this is the most cost effective.  Changing energy suppliers in the future will be made easier, under new guidelines from the government and Ofgem, so that switching providers should take less than three weeks.

There are still a majority of homes where low energy bulbs still aren’t being utilised at all, as people consider that they are too expensive to buy.  However, the saving in the amount of electricity they use, plus the length of time that each bulb will last, certainly outweighs the objections.  Even if just one low energy bulb can be bought every month it will make a substantial difference to the electricity bill.  The same applies to turning down the central heating boiler by one degree and individual thermostats when rooms aren’t being used.  These are only small changes in themselves, but even small reductions will result in lower energy bills.

A really good way to save energy is by cooking as many items as possible all at the same time.  Most ovens take quite a long time to heat up to the required temperature and of course to cool down at the end of the cooking.  Try to organise timings so everything is started when the oven is at its hottest, and then the temperature can be reduced when required.  Add extra items to the oven when it reaches the right temperature for them.  Batch cook large casseroles, which can be frozen down in smaller portions and brought out, defrosted thoroughly and reheated when required.  It may take a little time to get used to cooking more than one meal at a time but it will reduce your energy bills and may even give a little extra time.

Make a few simple changes in the way you use energy, and in the end substantial savings can made on your energy bills.  If additional loft and cavity wall insulation can also be installed these will provide a great opportunity to further reduce energy bills.

September 12, 2011

Start With Baby Steps – One at a Time

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 10:08 am

There is too much conflicting information, or even, misinformation, being tossed around about the best way to save energy.  The UK business man or woman has enough to worry about in keeping their business afloat than trying to play guessing games as to the best way to reduce their carbon footprint.  Whilst it is important that every company does something towards reducing the amount of energy expended by their business, the options available have become more than a little confused.

Every business uses electricity in one or another part of their organisation.  Depending on the type of company it is, the amount of energy expended will vary.  The other issue is that apples aren’t being compared with other apples; there isn’t any direct comparison, and in that case, much research must be suspect.

Only when direct comparisons have been made between companies in the same or similar field of business, which employ the same number of staff and in similar sized offices, can the best way to establish a base level of energy be made.

Initially, don’t spend any money at all – try to save it.  Reduce the central heating boiler thermostat down by one degree.  At this time of the year companies don’t have their heating on; however within the next four to six weeks, central heating will be switched on.  Before then, ensure any offices not in regular use have the radiator thermostat set to zero.  It is easy enough to adjust the control if that office is required.

A slightly odd tip which does work – ensure that behind each radiator is kitchen tinfoil which reflects the heat from the rear of the radiator back into the room.  Additional to reducing the thermostat on the boiler, make sure that the time switch is set so that the offices aren’t overheated when there isn’t anyone there. Experiment to discover the length of time it takes to bring the heat to the correct temperature.  If it takes thirty minutes, set the time switch to come on forty five minutes before anyone arrives.  If the office closes at about six o’clock and no-one is working later, switch the heating off about fifteen minutes before they leave the office.

Should the offices be completely empty over the weekend, ensure that the timer is set to go on and off at the minimum temperature for short periods.  Don’t let the offices become too cold – that’s false economy.

Another thing is to have every electricity appliance possible switched off overnight.  Ask a staff member to be responsible for checking that all printers, copiers and particularly computers are switched off before the office is empty.  This can save a considerable amount of money.  If there is a cleaner who comes in after the office is closed, ensure that they don’t switch any appliances back on whilst they are there.  Although they may feel that they are being helpful, ensure that they leave everything the same as when they arrived.

Only when the above measures been tried and the savings taken into account, will further savings be able to be addressed, including arranging for an independent energy broker to obtain the best deal for your business energy requirements.