Light ideas



Use low-energy light bulbs and replace standard fluorescent tubes with slimline tubes. Low-energy light bulbs provide the same amount of light, but use only 20% of the electricity and last up to 15 times longer.
Install movement detectors to control lighting in areas not in constant or frequent use.
Use time switches to stop unnecessary use of heating and lighting and use thermostats to control temperatures.
Install draught-proofing around windows and doors to reduce heating costs. An insulated building can help reduce heat loss by up to 40%.
Don't leave electrical equipment, such as computers and photocopiers, switched on or on standby mode for long periods when not in use.
Measure how much energy you're using by taking regular meter readings every week - it will make it easier to see when improvements are working.
Involve your staff - let them help you work out an action plan for making the company more energy efficient.
Appoint an energy champion so they can allocate staff certain responsibilities such as making sure lights are switched off when they are not needed.
Source: EDF Energy

warm to it



Don't heat unused space - store rooms and corridors don't need to be kept as warm as those areas in which people spend a long time. And if people are doing a lot of physical work in a particular area, the heating can be turned down.
Keep doors and windows closed and draught-proof in cold weather. If employees are too hot, try turning the heat down first. In warmer weather, when the heating is off anyway, you can let more air in.
Install automatic door closures - these help reduce heating and air- conditioning costs by reducing air movement between different areas. Spring-type closures cost as little
as a tenner.
Keep the thermostat away from draughts or hot and cold spots as this will affect the thermostat and automatically increase your heating costs.
Maintain equipment properly -
if you don't regularly check your heating equipment, you could be adding as much as 10% to your bill without knowing it.
Set the thermostat at 19°C. Costs rise 8% for every 1°C increase.
Source: EDF Energy/Envirowise

Water, water everywhere...



Install spray taps on hand basins which turn off automatically.
Install save-a-flush bags in toilet cisterns and save one-litre of water on every flush.
Explore the possibility of installing a water meter.
Use posters and stickers to encourage better water efficiency.
Encourage staff to report leaking or faulty equipment.
Fit trigger controls to hoses so flow can be cut off immediately.
Source: Severn Trent Water

Useful contacts


Envirowise 0800 585794
(www.envirowise.gov.uk)
Environment Agency 0845 933 3111
(www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
Waste and Resources Action
Programme (WRAP)
0808 1002040 (www.wrap.org.uk)
The Composting Association
01933 227777
(www.compost.org.uk)
Resource Futures
www.resourcefutures.co.uk
Business Link 0845 600 9006
(www.businesslink.org.uk)