It’s never been more important for your business to prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency
The climate crisis is, without a doubt, the leading issue of our time. Whether it’s as individuals, households or corporations, ignoring climate change is no longer an option. Indeed, it is the responsibility of every organisation to reduce its carbon footprint and work towards lessening the human impact on the planet.
Bear in mind, too, that building a reputation as a responsible, forward-thinking brand has its own value. An independent study by Smartest Energy found that 81% of people prefer to buy from sustainable sellers.
If that weren’t enough reason to pay closer attention to our energy consumption, then the short-term energy supply issues we are currently facing as a country certainly is. While the government has stepped in to provide some short-term relief for companies threatened by soaring overheads this winter, experts are warning that organisations should be preparing now for similar challenges in the winter of 2023.
So with that in mind, what steps can you take to ensure that your business lowers both energy consumption and carbon emissions in the future? Here are 5 ways to save energy in your small business.
Make the switch to energy efficient alternatives
Investing in new equipment and appliances does, of course, come at an upfront cost. But understanding the savings that can be made by choosing energy efficient monitors, computers, lamps, scanners, fridges printers and more can all contribute to significant savings over the course of winter months.
Modern appliances often come with a low power mode that decreases the amount of energy being used. It’s also useful to note that laptops are, on average, 2.5-3 times more energy efficient than desktop computers, and could therefore be a better alternative.
Of course, if you aren’t in a position to overhaul all of your electronics, simply make a commitment to pay closer attention to the EPC rating and energy efficiency of an appliance or electrical tool next time you need one.
Invest in LED lighting
If swapping out your equipment is an unrealistic investment for your business right now, then your lighting may be the best place to start on your journey to lower consumption and increased energy efficiency. Adequate lighting is essential for employees to be able to work safely, efficiently and comfortably but it is also a source of considerable waste in many offices, factories and warehouses.
Upgrading commercial lighting to LEDs can increase the energy efficiency of your lights by as much as 90%, and can last between 12 and 22 years. Over time, this equates to substantial energy savings.
Use timers and programmed thermostats
One of the biggest ways in which businesses waste energy is by leaving appliances running when it is not necessary. From computers and monitors to heating and lighting, get into the habit of scheduling appliances so that they only run when they are needed.
To cement this within your business practices, invest in timers and thermostats that can be programmed to only operate during work hours. Motion detector lights are another useful investment, ensuring that lights aren’t left on when there’s no one around to use them.
Check your doors and windows
If your doors and windows aren’t properly sealed – or are made using inefficient materials – they could be hiking up your energy bills by letting heat out of the building. This is particularly likely if your workplace building is more than 10-15 years old.
According to Aeroseal Corp, leaky windows account for around a third of heat loss in commercial properties, so it is worth exploring replacement doors and windows or having them resealed. After all, if you are paying to warm up your premises through the central heating, you don’t want to see that heat seeping away each day.
Get your staff on board
You can’t make significant changes to your business’s sustainability if you are operating alone. Going green and becoming more energy conscious is a team effort, which means you need to get all of your employees on board, too. Take the time to explain to them the importance of sustainability for your brand, as well as outlining the simple changes they can put into practice to make a difference. You could even introduce incentives for sustainable actions, making it an intrinsic part of your daily business operations.
Got a business idea you’d like to get off the ground this year?
Get in touch with the team at TEDCO Business Support today. Give us a call on 0191 516 61 02 or drop us an email at hello@tedco.org.