Sustainable business practices are more important than ever, and the best eco-friendly procedures begin in your own office. Businesses are some of the world’s largest consumers of electricity. With large, open spaces, dozens of employees and hundreds of appliances to power, your office space could be consuming far more energy than it needs to.
Getting your electricity usage under control doesn’t need to be complex. While there are lots of moving parts to a business, we’ve put together a few simple tips to help you create a more eco-friendly and cost-effective workplace.
How to Reduce Electricity Usage in Your Office
1. Switch to Energy Efficient LED Lighting
Lights are some of the biggest energy consumers in an office. With most office spaces being generously lit, old-fashioned incandescent or fluorescent bulbs can be a major drain on your power bills. Simply switching to LED lighting is a great way to reduce your electricity usage. In fact, LED lights consume about 75% less power than incandescent bulbs, and they typically last much longer. That makes them ideal for commercial spaces that need cost-effective, long-lasting and energy-efficient solutions.
2. Opt for Laptops Over Computers
It’s easy to forget, but the computers that power your day-to-day workload can consume huge amounts of energy. A simple way to cut back is to make the switch to laptops instead of desktops. Laptops consume about 15W-60W while in use, while desktops can use anywhere from 60W-250W. And, when you have an office full of people that are online and working all day long, this difference can add up quickly.
3. Keep Your Climate Control Under Control
Heating and cooling are the biggest energy consumers in an office. Most offices are large spaces that require powerful HVAC systems. These do a great job of making sure you’re comfortable year-round, but they consume huge amounts of energy in the process.
We recommend setting your thermostat to 25C in summer and 20C in winter. These temperatures will make sure everyone’s comfortable while saving thousands on your quarterly power bills. Don’t forget that climate control works best when your office is sealed properly. If you’re working in an older tenancy, it’s worth asking your builder to make sure all external doors and windows are properly caulked.
4. Opt for Energy Efficient Devices
Switching to laptops can make a big difference to your energy consumption, but so can the other devices and appliances in your office. It’s easy to take these things for granted, but your office is full of devices like computer monitors, printers, HVAC systems, fridges, freezers and more.
While you don’t need to replace all your appliances at once, it’s something to keep in mind when purchasing new equipment. Don’t be tempted by the cheap sticker prices of inefficient appliances. These cost you more in the long-run, and they’re counterproductive if you’re trying to reduce your electricity consumption.
5. Automate Your Energy Savings
There are lots of little places where you can save energy. Controlling the thermostat, switching appliances off at the end of the day, switching lights off when not in use – these things all add up. The only challenge is that it’s probably not your top priority to switch off a light when leaving a room. You can get around this issue by automating energy saving functions wherever possible.
For example, installing motion-sensing lights can reduce energy consumption by 35-45%. Similarly, your HVAC system may have automated settings that allow you to control when the system comes on, when it turns off and how it’s used during the day. If you’re looking for more ways to automate your energy savings then it’s worth talking to an electrician. Commercial electricians can install Building Energy Management systems that make the best use of smart technologies to reduce your consumption.
6. Get Your Staff Involved
Your staff are the ones using all the electricity, so you’ll need their help if you want to turn the trend around. Simply bringing their attention to energy saving practices is a great place to start. By asking staff to be aware of their energy consumption, you can make a real dent in your power bills.
For a more involved approach, you should consider creating an incentive plan. The less power the office uses, the more employees are rewarded. Rewards can be simple – a lunch that’s paid for by the company or a round of drinks on a Friday afternoon may be all it takes to encourage your staff to cut back.
Get Your Office Energy Consumption Under Control with Dawson Electric!
Offices and commercial spaces are some of the biggest users of electricity in Australia. With powerful HVAC systems, large floor areas and dozens (or hundreds) of computers and appliances, it’s easy to see why. If you’re currently battling energy consumption and looking for the best ways to reduce electricity usage in the office, give Dawson Electric a call!
The team at Dawson Electric are experienced in Commercial Electrical Maintenance offering everything from medical electrician expertise to test and tag Brisbane wide services. We work with businesses of all sizes throughout Brisbane, providing electrical installation, repair and maintenance services. Whatever your office looks like, our commercial electricians can provide advice and services to reduce your energy consumption and get your power bills under control. Contact our electrician Brisbane team today to find out more!