Brought to you by Utility Bidder:
It’s safe to say that, after years of being broadly ignored by many businesses and governments alike, climate change is now firmly on the global agenda. With Extinction Rebellion protests becoming a regular occurrence and more environmentally responsible policies slowly beginning to be implemented, it’s becoming increasingly important for entrepreneurs and small business owners to follow suit and make their offices greener.
But what can business owners do to minimize their companies’ impacts on the environment? With boosts to corporate reputations and bottom-line benefits up for grabs, simply reducing the amount of energy used and wasted in the office each day is the perfect place to start.
When looking for new ways to make your workplace more energy-efficient and greener, check out these three power saving suggestions:
1. Switch Old Light Bulbs for New LEDs and Motion Sensor Lighting
With a whopping 25 per cent of an average business’ electricity costs being generated by lighting, this is a good place to start when looking to cut down on bills. Replacing traditional light bulbs and strip lighting with energy-efficient LEDs, for example, can save you up to 80 per cent on your lighting costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Additionally, as well as saving you money and helping the environment, this form of lighting is also thought to help prevent headaches and eye strain as well as improve workplace productivity.
Aside from switching to a more energy-efficient source of lighting, business utilities specialist Utility Bidder suggests that taking proactive steps to reduce waste by ensuring lights are only turned on when they are in use is a simple but highly effective way to save energy. Installing motion sensor systems throughout the workplace is one way to achieve this goal.
2. Invest in Green Energy Technology
Despite an array of financially viable green energy solutions becoming increasingly available on the market, the vast majority of UK businesses are still powered by mains electricity and gas.
Making small changes and investing in these greener sources of energy will not only make your company more environmentally friendly, but it can also cut down the size of your energy bills and reduce your reliance on the national grid.
From integrating photovoltaic panels or small wind turbines on site to generate your office’s electricity supply to installing solar thermal cells that can provide your workplace with hot water, cleaner energy is much easier to access than you think.
3. Get Your Staff on Board
Employees will play an essential role in making your business a greener place to work. From ensuring the thermostat is kept at a reasonable temperature to making sure electronic equipment is switched off at the end of the day, getting all staff to work in the same direction can make a significant difference in reducing energy bills and helping to protect the planet.
One way to naturally encourage this is to appoint an ‘energy champion’. This employee can help to promote energy-saving habits through strong communication skills and training sessions with the eventual aim of turning them into workplace norms. Making use of strategically placed posters with energy-saving pointers and tips can also go a long way to implementing a new environmentally responsible culture in the office.
The infographic below gives you an idea of what uses the most energy in your office. Share it with your employees so everyone can help make a difference.
So, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of these simple ways to save energy in the workplace, enhance your business’ reputation as a green business, help the environment, and save money in the process!
