FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Energy prices are continuing to rise, with many organisations in the UK now seeing monthly energy bills double that of a few months ago. However, some worst-case scenarios estimate as much as 36% of a bill is wasted energy. So how
can you go about reducing energy consumption in your facility? Lindsay Ventress, principal consultant & service line lead – Energy, EcoAct, an Atos company, comments
No matter where your office is located,
G ENERGY MONEY
encouraging energy-saving practices among your employees can be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to minimise your energy bills. By simply turning off computers and monitors
overnight, businesses can save £35 a year per desk (indeed more as prices rise). A 2018 survey by OnePoll shows a large discrepancy in the way people approach energy savings at home and in the office: only 27% of people surveyed would bother to switch off appliances at work while 49% of them do so at home, with 60% of respondents citing a lack of awareness about their company’s energy efficiency policies. It is the responsibility of businesses to provide training and guidelines to employees on their energy efficiency measures. One of our most effective recommendations is
the ‘last man out’ switch, a simple way to ensure that all non-essential equipment and lighting is turned off at the end of the day, thereby minimising ‘out of hours’ energy wastage. The level of impact any measure might have will be heavily dependent upon the activity profile of the organisation/location. Our team of expert consultants can provide advice on the best place to start and the level and complexity of assessment that may be required to maximise the savings potential realised.
a few months, improvements were implemented and savings realised across a number of premises, realising a greater value in energy cost savings than the cost of the initial audit programme. When searching for new premises, business
owners should keep in mind broader net-zero strategies and not simply be satisfied with the short-term, low-cost, options. Factors such as location, air quality, lighting, water usage, EPC Ratings, accessibility, flexibility, adaptability and perhaps ‘Mixed Use’ options should be considered when determining the most sustainable building option.
BUILDING A NET-ZERO CULTURE Energy efficiency is only one part of the net-zero picture. It’s about creating competitive advantage, improving efficiency, reducing costs and driving innovation to create a new business as usual. At EcoAct, our experts address all climate, carbon and energy challenges; and our dedicated research and innovation team keeps us ahead of the sustainability agenda for clients in every sector.
www.energymanagementmag.co.uk
INVESTING IN THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY To make the most of your company’s energy savings, reliable and real-time data is important to monitor usage and track improvements. EcoAct’s research highlighted to the IT & Telecommunications sector the value of providing low-carbon, digital solutions to environmental challenges across industries. One example was Vodafone’s Internet-of-Things services which provides smart solutions to optimising energy consumption in buildings. Regular inspections and operational maintenance
by engineers should also not be ignored, as they could help point out flaws in current equipment and systems. One case study shows that, by installing a £100 timer to its existing heating system, the Chinese Contemporary Arts Centre in
Manchester saves £4,363 and 17.6 tonnes of CO2 a year. Investing in operational maintenance and regular inspections don’t just help reduce waste but can also improve comfort levels for staff and, by association, their productivity.
INTEGRATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY INTO YOUR NET-ZERO STRATEGY It is no longer a choice but a necessity for businesses to cut down on their energy usage and implement a holistic plan for net-zero. While a net-zero strategy is about more than just
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Autumn 2021 17
operational emissions and energy, many companies tend to be pre-occupied with bigger pieces such as their Scope 3 emissions, leaving energy efficiency off the agenda. A seemingly obvious solution for some may
be to buy renewable energy to decarbonise operations. However, just ‘buying green energy’ is not enough. As economic growth continues to uplift demand to the grid, the transition to clean technology and electric vehicles isn’t enough – we must ensure that we have reduced our emissions to the lowest level possible in order to achieve our net zero goals. A net-zero strategy is what sets your business
up for success. It is your future story of transformation and will be foundational in creating a positive impact on climate change – no matter where you are in your journey.
EcoAct
https://eco-act.com
“No matter where your office is located, encouraging
energy-saving practices among
your employees can be one of the easier and cheapest ways to minimise your energy bills.
By simply turning off computers and monitors overnight, businesses can save £35 a
year, per desk (indeed more as prices rise)”
Lindsay Ventress
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