Spring Has Sprung So Turn Down And Turn Off

23rd March 2005

Clocks are not the only thing that should be changed when workers return after Easter, according to leading energy company Powergen.

With the start of British Summer Time (BST) on Sunday (March 27), Powergen says remembering to lower thermostats and adjust lighting timers after the Bank Holiday could lower small- and medium-sized businesses’ (SMEs) energy consumption and bills.

Forward-thinking businesses can also use the opportunity to make even greater savings by encouraging all employees to be smarter about how and where they use energy at work.

According to the Government-backed Carbon Trust, businesses can save as much as 20% on their energy costs simply by being more energy efficient. That is equivalent to a 5% increase in sales.

Neil Gould, SME manager at Powergen, said: "Companies can use the start of summer as the chance to make small changes and big savings.

"By adjusting heating and lighting to suit the change in daylight hours and temperature, businesses can not only save themselves money but also reduce waste and help the environment – and that’s got to be good for everyone."

Powergen has put together a simple summer action list to get businesses started on the road to saving energy and money:

1. Appoint an 'energy champion', someone who takes responsibility for managing energy usage in the company;
2. Set your thermostat to the ideal year-round working temperature of 19˚c, remembering to turn heating off completely during hot spells;
3. Open windows instead of using energy-guzzling air conditioning units where possible – but don't do both;
4. If you do use air conditioning, switch off PCs and other equipment at lunchtime – as well as using power while sat idle, they give off heat which means air conditioning has to worker even harder to keep a room cool;
5. Clean windows and skylights regularly to make the most of natural sunlight.

Powergen is part of E.ON UK, which is part of the E.ON Group - the world's largest investor owned utility.

According to the Carbon Trust (www.thecarbontrust.co.uk), SMEs can make savings of up to 20 per cent by taking a series of simple energy efficiency measures;

Powergen is a leading energy supplier in the UK, providing electricity and gas to one in four SMEs;

Powergen provides a Business Energy Helpline for its 500,000 SME customers on 08000 85 85 25. It is staffed by energy experts who have knowledge of a wide range of energy efficiency practices and equipment;

Powergen is the only energy company in the UK to offer SMEs an online 'quick quote' service at http://www.powergen.co.uk/business, allowing them to obtain an energy quote in around two minutes based on their current consumption levels. If interested in joining Powergen, they can then go on to complete a full application online.