Businesses Risk Wasting Energy This Autumn

10th October 2006

Unsurprisingly, winter is most often the most expensive time of the year for businesses in terms of energy bills. However, autumn can also be a costly time as businesses run up high bills by heating and lighting businesses for longer than is actually necessary for this time of the year. To help combat this, npower business is advising companies to take a close look at their energy consumption this autumn to help identify potential ways to save energy and reduce costs in the long term.

"With the clocks going back later this month, bringing with it longer evenings, many of us could be forgiven for thinking that winter has already arrived," commented Gordon Parsons, Managing Director, npower business. "However, it will be a few months yet until the real chill of winter hits the UK and it is important that businesses keep a close eye on their energy consumption to avoid running up unnecessarily high energy bills this autumn."

For example, many businesses will be operating heating systems 24 hours a day. Whilst this might be necessary during the harsher winter months, it may actually be possible to reduce the number of hours heating systems are operating for during the autumn. Potential energy savings, as a result, could be significant and cutting back just one hour of operation out of every 12 could save approximately 8 per [1]cent on bills.

Likewise, lighting systems use approximately 13 percent of the energy in commercial buildings, the second largest use after heating and cooling equipment. Despite the darker mornings and evenings, there is still plenty of natural daylight at this time of the year and businesses could consider installing daylight sensors, which control lighting systems by utilising natural light and only activating artificial lighting when necessary. Looking carefully at lighting systems, considering upgrading equipment, performing regular maintenance, and making sure lights are turned off when not in use could also offer significant savings.

"Now is also the time when businesses should carry out cleaning and maintenance of vital equipment, such as heating systems, in preparation for the winter," continued Parsons. "In commercial buildings, it is estimated that almost 35 percent of energy is used for space heating. As the winter season approaches, it is important to check that all heating equipment is functioning properly so the system will work through the winter to keep your building(s) heated efficiently. Regular maintenance can also help prevent costly repair jobs and by simply ensuring that heating systems are operating properly, businesses could actually reduce heating costs by up to 5%."

By monitoring energy consumption over the next few months and taking steps to cut costs where possible, businesses will also be able to identify ways in which they can become more energy efficient in the long-term.

"Once an energy pattern is established, i.e. identifying periods of the day or week when the most or least amount of energy is used, businesses can take steps to improve their energy efficiency for the long-term, resulting in far greater energy savings, "concluded Parsons. "It is important to remember that there are many things businesses can do to improve energy efficiency, ranging from energy saving measures which involve very little or no cost and will provide immediate pay back, to those which require major investments. As long as a business understands that energy management needs to be part of every investment decision, and that means everything from buying lightbulbs to new specialist machinery, then the potential savings to be made are massive."

Here are some ways that you could save your business money this autumn -

1. - Turning your computer off at night saves enough energy to print 800 laser copies

2. - Turn off unused photocopiers. Left on unnecessarily, they could waste £194 of energy per year

3. - Ensure thermostats are set to the desired temperature. Heating bills could increase by 8% for every 1oC of extra heat.

4. - Ensure that the power save function is activated on all equipment, including computer monitors. This could save between £25 and £45 per year.

5. - You can cut up to £40 on a typical £400 bill by closing doors between none and heated areas.


6. - You can save £3 a year on every 38mm fluorescent tube in your business by replacing them with 28mm.

7. - Replace 100W incandescent bulbs with 20W low energy compact fluorescents and save £16 a year.

8. - Fit time switches to control lighting. Keeping one 70 watt lamp lit when not needed is like burning an extra £14 a year.

9. - You will save £20 a year on each external 300 watt halogen light by fitting motion sensors.

10. - When purchasing new office equipment, look for the Energy Star(tm) logo indicating energy efficient models.

For more information on how businesses can become more energy efficient and save both energy and money, log on now to www.npowerbusiness.com