Sustainability
a day. Finding the right balance between comfort and efficiency is crucial. Through careful monitoring and small adjustments, we have been able to optimise energy use without compromising resident wellbeing. Temperature control plays a key role. Rather than applying a blanket approach across entire buildings, we set different areas to appropriate temperatures. Some rooms may require more warmth, while others – such as unoccupied spaces – can be kept cooler. Even minor changes, such as reducing heating by half a degree, have made a noticeable difference over time to bill reduction without compromising on comfort for those cared for. Radiators are now equipped with thermostatic valves, allowing for precise temperature adjustments in each room where needed. However, maintaining efficiency is not just about heating – it is also about preventing unnecessary heat loss. Windows left open in colder months can have a huge impact on energy consumption, so regular walk-throughs of the buildings help ensure if open unnecessarily that they are closed. Similarly, lights left on in unused rooms contribute to unnecessary electricity use, and the walk throughs help to mitigate this by ensuring they are turned off. We have also looked at alternative solutions; however, automatic motion sensor lighting has proven to be impractical since many of those cared for can remain still for long periods of time, thus leaving individuals in darkness.
One of the most effective changes we have made is integrating energy
Our journey offers valuable lessons for other organisations
assessments into our monthly care home management meetings. You may not realise the level of accumulative waste – not to mention the cost – until you monitor it. These reviews not only help us identify where energy is being wasted but also highlight potential maintenance issues before they escalate. For example, at one of our homes, we noticed an unexpected spike in water usage over a single month. On investigation, it turned out to be a leaking tap – a small issue that, left unaddressed, would have led to significant water wastage
and unnecessary costs.
By continuously monitoring energy usage and making mindful adjustments, we are reducing waste, improving efficiency, and ensuring their care homes remain comfortable for those they care for, their families, and the care staff teams, while keeping operational costs under control.
Changing the mindset
One of the biggest changes has been in changing the company mindset. One of the largest wasteful business activities in the business was in printing. Printing of invoices, care plans, audits, training materials – you name it. While we can never go totally paperless, staff teams are now asking themselves: ‘do I need to print this?’ Being aware of this and making changes where they can has resulted in the business cutting down their printing by 25 per cent over the past year. Food waste was another area where small adjustments made a big impact. While menu planning directly influenced food ordering, the biggest source of waste came from portion sizes. Often too large, it became evident how much food was scraped off plates and into the bin at the end of mealtimes. This was not due to a lack of enjoyment of the meals prepared, but simply down to the fact that older people – particularly those living with dementia – tend to have smaller appetites and often prefer ‘grazing’ over large meals. Also recognising that a meal enjoyed one month may not be as appealing the next, the company implemented a feedback loop between the kitchen, care teams, and those they care for to ensure the ordering process, stock-taking, and meal enjoyment
May 2025
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 37
Anna -
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Anna -
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