| A recent survey of businesses' attitudes towards | | | | This can range from a simple energy audit to a |
| energy and the environment found that, on | | | | detailed analysis of equipment and machinery to |
| average, SMEs rated energy management and | | | | identify potential improvements. The UK has been |
| reducing energy consumption at just 6.1 out of 10 | | | | set on a path to a Low Carbon Economy - the |
| in terms of significance to their business. | | | | challenge now is to join the journey and start by |
| Many SMEs reported a lack of time and resources | | | | taking control of energy consumption. |
| to invest in energy saving initiatives, but a few | | | | These top five tips should help businesses begin |
| simple and inexpensive methods to increase | | | | to reduce their energy usage: |
| energy efficiency can yield real environmental | | | | |
| benefits, as well as significant cost savings. | | | | 1. If you don't measure it you can't manage it' - |
| Just switching off equipment, such as computers | | | | track your energy use by recording the meter |
| and photocopiers, overnight could save the | | | | reading every week on a spreadsheet. |
| average office £6,000 a year according to | | | | 2. Instruct a qualified electrician to fit an energy |
| the Carbon Trust, while further savings can be | | | | monitor. Familiarise yourself with how this works. |
| made by simply installing energy-saving light bulbs. | | | | Once fitted, establish what the average daily |
| Recent research conducted showed that a pub | | | | readings are around the business. Also establish |
| with an annual energy bill of £20,000 and a | | | | what the lowest reading should be at the end of |
| significant carbon footprint could reduce the | | | | the working day when non essential equipment is |
| amount of carbon it emits each year by more | | | | turned off, and make it a part of your routine to |
| than eight tonnes and cut its annual energy bill by | | | | check this every evening; if the reading is higher |
| over £2,000 through simple energy saving | | | | than normal something has probably been left on |
| steps. | | | | that needs to be turned off. |
| A lower carbon footprint and reduced energy bills | | | | 3. Turn off unnecessary lights. Each twin 58 Watt |
| are not the only benefits of an energy efficient | | | | fluorescent fitting costs £23 a year to run. |
| workplace: a number of large corporations have | | | | 4. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact |
| instigated carbon reduction initiatives and are | | | | fluorescent bulbs. Standard incandescent lamps |
| encouraging their supply chain to follow suit. | | | | (bulbs) are inefficient: 10% light and 90% heat. A |
| A growing number of companies are beginning to | | | | 20 Watt low energy lamp in place of a 100 Watt |
| realise this: 24% of SMEs questioned in the nBEI | | | | incandescent lamp could save you around |
| expect that reducing their carbon footprint will | | | | £16 a year. |
| provide new commercial opportunities. This | | | | 5. Have boilers professionally serviced. Maintaining |
| represents a substantial increase and the number | | | | your boiler could save you up to £120 per |
| is likely to grow as businesses and the public | | | | year if you currently spend £400 on space |
| become more aware of the need to consider | | | | heating bills. |
| energy efficiency [ in business operations. | | | | By following these energy saving initiatives, |
| Many major power suppliers are working closely | | | | businesses will be able to save themselves |
| with their customers to develop a detailed | | | | considerable amounts of money on power, as well |
| understanding of their energy needs and providing | | | | as reducing carbon footprints, so it makes sense |
| them with the tools to achieve cost and CO2 | | | | to do the research, get the advice and implement |
| reductions without calling on sizable capital | | | | energy saving ideas. |
| investment. | | | | |