Friday, 24 February 2017

Building Improvements That Will Save Energy



It is possible to save energy and lower your energy bills in almost every building and room in your business. This includes offices, manufacturing facilities, customer areas (shops, cafes, restaurants etc.), warehouses, specialist areas (e.g., commercial refrigeration units), and more. Doing so may require an initial investment, but once installed and/or completed, you will use less energy.

Additionally, if you combine the ideas on this list with steps to ensure you get the lowest electricity and commercial gas prices available, the savings can be significant.

Switching to Energy-Efficient Equipment

This is one of the most flexible options available, as you probablyalready operate an equipment-upgrading cycle, i.e., periodically purchasing new equipment to replace old and outdated equipment. To cut energy use in your business, make sure the replacement equipment you purchase has the best energy efficiency rating possible.

You can also approach this in a more proactive way. For example, you could replace every lightbulb currently in use with a more energy-efficient option. This will cost you money upfront, but will save you money over time.

Installing Smart Systems and Automation

One of the main reasons that businesses use more energy than they need to is people. Here are some examples:

·         Turning the heating up higher than necessary
·         Leaving a computer on over the weekend when it’s not in use
·         Leaving the lights on overnight
·         Leaving the lights on during the day when they are not needed,as there is enough natural light
·         Even worse, leaving the light on in a room that is rarely used for weeks or even months
·         Leaving a door open so all the heat in the room is quickly lost

You can solve all these things through automation technology. This includes smart thermostat systems that automatically control temperatures, ideally on a zone basis. It also includes sensors that can open doors or switch on lights whenever movement is detected, and it features timers so you don’t have to rely on people remembering to switch equipment, lights, or heating off when they are not needed.

Reducing Heat Loss

Heat loss is one of the most frustrating aspects of energy use for many business owners. You can spend time and effort trying to get the best possible business gas rates, you can invest money in energy-efficient equipment, and you can allocate staff resources to lowering your day-to-date energy use. However, much of this effort will be wastedif you have to heat rooms more than necessary because heat is consistently lost through the building.

The ways to address this are simple, but they require investment. Primarily, you should ensure thathigh-quality insulation is installed in your buildings and properties. This includes cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as insulation around pipes and hot water tanks. If you don’t have double-glazed windows, you should consider installing them to prevent heat loss through the glass.

Furthermore, you should draft-proof your buildings, particularly around windows and doors.

These measures will ensure you only use energy that is absolutely necessary in your business, while wasting as little of that energy as possible.

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