Saving energy without spending money
Use this guide to help you take action on your energy plan.
On this page
- Change the time of equipment use
- Complete a floor check
- Change how equipment is used
- Correct installation and use of controls
Change the time of equipment use
Walk around your business at different times of the day; make a note of any equipment that is on but does not need to be. Check the following:
Lights
- Are lights left on unnecessarily? Check infrequently used areas (storerooms and toilets).
- Are lights put on early in the morning on a winter’s day, and left on when the sun is streaming in?
- Are window blinds drawn requiring lights to be switched on?
- Turn off non-essential display lighting (for example in office foyers) or floodlighting/ signage.
- Do cleaners clean the premises after hours? If so, do they switch off the lights?
Temperature
- Is heating/air conditioning on with windows and doors open?
- Is office equipment (computers or photocopiers) left on when not required?
Standby
- Is business specific equipment left on (cookers, extractor fans, air compressors, pumps and motors) when not required?
Complete a floor check
Walk around your business after hours. Is anything switched on that does not need to be? Check the following:
Refrigeration
- Are refrigeration appliance doors always closed?
- Is it necessary to have all the refrigeration switched on? Are there any units that can be emptied?
Change how equipment is used
Reconsider how you use equipment, for example:
- use it only at certain times in the day and switching it off in between (for example, photocopiers, air compressors, pumps).
- change business practices.
Correct installation and use of controls
Are refrigeration appliances sited away from heat sources such as the sun and ovens?
Check the thermostat and time settings for heaters, air conditioners, hot water appliances.
- Heating thermostats should be set at: 19°C in offices; 16°C in workshops; 10°C–12°C in stores.
- Air conditioners should be set at 25°C–27°C.
- Hot water cylinders should be set at 60°C.
Are timers for other equipment correctly set (for example: security lighting, hot water)?