An energy walk- round using the checklist below should help you identify wasteful energy use and opportunities for saving and can be the start of a business’ commitment to improving energy performance. It need not be complicated and there is lots of help available.
The survey takes into account heating, lighting and office equipment. The walk round needs to be done several times at different times of day as energy varies. So consider a lunchtime walk around and one in the evening and at the weekend and consider times when you would expect to be using very little energy. Obviously seasonal changes make a difference. Heating typically accounts for about half of energy use in offices and many people feel hot and uncomfortable at work. Often corridors and empty offices are heated unnecessarily.
Once you have used the checklist and identified where savings or improvements can be made, try to prioritise what is important to you company and which improvements will deliver the biggest savings. Be realistic about what you want to achieve. There are links to helpful websites at the end of the checklist, as well as links to other energy articles.
Example of energy checklist
Name of company and date and time of energy walk around.
Heating
- What is the temperature?
- Do staff complain about the temperature?
- Have heaters/boilers been services in the last 12 months?
- Are portable heaters used?
- Are heaters and air conditioning units operating in the same area?
- How hot is the hot water?
- Do all areas need to be heated fully?
- Is there a room thermostat that works and is set to the correct temperature?
- Are all timers working and on the correct settings?
- Are there any obstructions in front of radiators or heaters?
- How are extractor fans controlled?
- Are windows and doors open when heating or air conditioning is on?
- Is there any cold coming in from draughty windows and doors?
If rooms are too hot or heated unnecessarily this is easy to deal with. Improving insulation and draught control can also significantly reduce energy consumption. Poorly maintained boilers can add 30% to heating costs. Portable heaters are expensive so only use if essential and only for short periods (use a timer switch).
If staff often complain of being too hot at work, so make sure the thermostat is set at 19-20 degrees C, and install thermostatic radiator valves where possible. Turn the heating down rather than opening windows.
Timers need to be set so heating is only on when needed.
Lighting
- Are lights switched off where necessary?
- Are large diameter fluorescent tube lights still used?
- Are lamps, fitting and roof lights clean?
- Are light bulbs long life or are they traditional tungsten light bulbs still used?
- Are light switches easy to find and labelled with reminders to switch off etc?
- Is exterior lighting switched off when not needed?
Energy efficient lighting can save your business hundreds of pounds a year. Old large diameter (38mm) fluorescent tubes use 10% more energy than slim-line tubes (26mm diameter) and new high frequency fluorescent lighting extends lamp life and can reduce consumption by up to a quarter. Dirt reduces lighting levels by a surprising amount. Standard bulbs are very expensive to run and actually produce more heat than light. Compact fluorescent bulbs have a longer life and use up to 75% less energy. Task lighting is more pleasant to work with as it reduces glare and electricity bills at the same time.
Office
- Have computers got built-in energy saving features and if so are they activated?
- Are computers left on overnight?
- Are monitors switched off when not in use?
- Are photocopiers and other equipment energy efficient?
- Are photocopiers located near air conditioned areas or air conditioning units?
- Are printers and photocopiers left on overnight/ at weekends?
- Are vending machines/water coolers etc left on permanently?
- Can you see any other waste of energy?
- Once you have completed the checklist you will be able to identify savings.
Computers need built in energy saving features (and the energy management software installed properly) and office equipment should ideally have an A star energy rating (certainly it is crucial to know this when replacing equipment). Monitors can be turned off at lunchtimes etc and the standby options activated.
Photocopies need natural ventilation where possible, and need to remain in power save mode for as much as possible. Photocopiers guzzle energy. A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to make over 5000 A4 copies.
Also check cold drink vending machines and water coolers are programmed to turn off when not needed (use a seven day timer), examine the kitchen equipment. A New kettle and fridge, for example will improve energy efficiency and performance And save money in the long run.
The Carbon Trust produces an excellent free guide called FOCUS: A practical Introduction to Reducing Energy Bills and has a range of very helpful free literature, save energy and switch it off stickers as well as a series of fact sheets on specific technologies and business sectors. www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
