Low cost energy saving top tip!

Type of measure

Typical saving on energy costs

Further detail

Correct metering and energy monitor

Utilities: electric, water, gas.

Depends on whose energy you are unknowingly supplying!

Make sure good a quality smart meter or AMR (automated meter reader) is installed by your utilities provider and any separate commercial activity is sub metered or metered separately for billing purposes. If you are not metered correctly you cant measure your spend or carbon footprint and might be paying for someone else’s utilities!

Insulation and air tightness

Building fabric

20%

Roof, floor and wall insulation and draft exclusion needn’t cost the Earth, but might save it! Depending on your building, options for doors, windows to stop drafts.

Lagging of pipework

Space heating and hot water

5-10%

If you have a wet heating system and hot water, then ensure your plant room and pipework is lagged. If your plant room is warm then there probably is a problem.

Heating and hot water controls and timers

Space heating and hot water

20%

Inadequate heating controls wastes a lot of money. Easy to use modern controls also saving expensive call-out fees from technical specialists. Ensure timers are set correctly to reflect occupancy and the activity type.

Immersion heaters smart controls

Hot water

As above

Ensure immersion heaters are set correctly and only come on at required time and duration. Smart controls now link to activity.

Good thermostats and setting them correctly

Space heating and hot water

20%

Set thermostats correctly and fit modern TRV’s (thermostatic radiator valves). Automatically zoning off unoccupied areas.

Remove portable heaters

Space heating

10%

Fixing your central heating system is more cost effective than portable heaters.

Replace conventional electric wall heaters with night-storage equivalents

Space heating

20%

Advanced storage heaters with flexible controls are available and are cheap to run.

Lighting and controls

Electrical

60% (on lighting only)

LED lights with daylight and motion control.

ICT (information computer and telecommunications) equipment

Electrical

5-10%

Fitting smart sockets or simply switching off any ICT equipment that is not necessary to run overnight saves money and carbon.

Address any wiring issues

Electrical

5%

Have an electrician check your wiring, fixing load imbalances, voltage optimisation, ensures safety and saves energy.

Correct staff training and awareness

Behaviour and engagement.

20%

Correct usage of equipment and awareness. Staff can be keen to engage on the climate agenda whilst helping your profit margins at the same time!