Rising Energy Costs
Rising energy costs are just one thing that both businesses and homeowners are going to have to contend with this winter, as well as colder temperatures that encourage more use of heating systems. This double hit means it’s time to look at energy saving tips to lower your bills. Some of what we’ve found can be started right now, and take very little effort to implement. Other energy saving tips need a little more research and investment to make sure they’re right for your situation.
If you are a SME business based in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire or Milton Keynes and Northampton then you could be entitled for a Low Carbon Workspaces Grant receiving between £1,000 – £5,000. If you are interested in know how Point Electrical can work alongside you then please contact us to find out more.
Energy saving tips for lighting
Lighting is one of the easiest and quickest ways to save energy in any property – and it’s through methods that most people overlook as the savings are marginal. On their own, this is true, but combined with other methods, and over time, it can make a big difference.
Low energy lighting
With low energy lighting, you’ll be making savings even when the lights are on compared to normal lighting. This is done by switching your light bulbs to more efficient, low energy options.
As an added bonus, these bulbs can last a lot longer than the alternatives, so you’re not going to have to replace them as often. This reduces the cost of even buying the bulbs, which makes low energy lighting a better option in every way.
Switch off lights not in use
A very simple solution to save energy is to make sure any lights are turned off when not needed. In open plan offices, this is harder to do without a smart lighting control system, so that’s worth investing in. Depending on how much natural light you get, you can light certain areas when needed rather than the whole space. This applies at home, too, but is much easier to accomplish – simply don’t leave lights on in rooms that you leave or are not spending time in. You can keep curtains open to allow light inside, too.
Heat energy saving tips
Heating systems aren’t only expensive, but they also take time to really kick in and generate the temperature you want. In larger properties, like an office, this increases even further. Using heating systems with a temperature sensor (room stat) as well as a programmer (timer) will help and is also required under UK Building Regulations Part L. Using Lot 20 compliant heaters, in accordance with the European Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC), will also help to maximise heating output and reduce running costs.
Close doors
While it’s tougher in larger, open place rooms and spaces, closing doors is an effective way to keep heat inside. When rooms aren’t in use, it makes no sense to heat these areas when no one can benefit from it. This just means it will take longer to warm up, which costs more than you want to spend on bills. It doesn’t stop with just closing doors, though. Consider the gaps beneath doors, which can allow cold drafts inside. You can find door runners, or more permanent attachments, to help with this.
Make sure you have the right insulation
Given that heat rises, it’s important to make sure you keep as much of it inside the property as you can. Without the right insulation, heat will escape and you’ll have to use the heating system for longer – and this costs more money. If you’re renting a commercial property, it’s worth checking who has the responsibility for this task, but it’s not one to ignore as the savings can be huge – not to mention the better temperatures everyone in the building will benefit from.
Home energy saving tips
Outside of these two areas, there are some other energy saving tips which can lower the price of your bills each month, especially in your home. These can be applied in workplaces, too, with some tweaks to account for the different properties and layouts.
Use less water
The less water used – especially hot water, which needs water and heating – the lower your water bills will be. From using less during a shower or while washing dishes, to ensuring dishwashers and washing machines are completely full before use, you can make sure of less waste. Commercial properties can make use of this, too, depending on the facilities available. Encouraging employees to reduce the amount of water used and wasted can have a big impact over time and can be one of the bigger energy saving tips you promote.
Home automation systems
There are plenty of systems you can invest in that will help lower energy use in the home. These smart, automated systems let you control lighting, heating or sound even when you’re not there. You can turn off lights left on or make sure you come home to a warm house without leaving the heating on for hours. Planning and installing the right automation systems takes time, and they are an investment, but the gains you’ll make over their lifetime will be seen in your bills. You’ll also have the convenience of using them, which helps, too.
Energy saving tips add up to big savings
On their own, these energy saving tips might not make a huge difference to your energy bills but if you apply as many of them as you can, you’ll see some big savings. You can get started with some right now, but others might take a little planning and research.
If you’d like to know more about systems and methods that can save you energy and lower your bills, speak to our friendly team today.
