Tips for Saving Energy in the Workplace
Heating
- Ensure temperatures are set at no more than 19°C in office and teaching areas. Thermostatic radiator valves should be left at position 2-3, and they will modulate to maintain comfort levels.
- Keep doors and windows closed while heating is on. Open doors and windows allow heated air to escape and cold air to come in.
- Ensure radiators are not blocked with furniture, this affects the heat available to the room.
- Avoid heating unused spaces such as corridors and storerooms. These areas should be set to a lower temperature.
- Make sure that changes in building occupation hours are updated within the controls. Buildings may being heated during periods they are no longer occupied.
- Report any factors which affect comfort levels such as draughty windows and doors. A simple repair could save energy and improve user comfort.
Lighting
- Switch off lights in empty rooms. It is a popular myth that it is cheaper to leave a light on.
- Use daylight where possible. It’s free and more pleasant than artificial light.
- Only use required lights. For example a teacher working alone in a classroom may only require the row of lights above her desk.
- Use low wattage lights. Slim line fluorescent tubes can often be used as direct replacements for older tubes, and use 25% less electricity. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 80% less energy than a tungsten bulb and less ten times longer.
- Ensure outside lights are only on when required.
Electrical Equipment
- Switch computers off when not required. Even switching a monitor off over tea and lunch break prevents excessive heat build up in a room.
- Don’t leave equipment on standby mode. They continue to us up to 70% of normal power consumption at no use.
- Purchase energy efficiency rated equipment when replacing items.
- Ensure in built energy saving software is activated. A screen saver is not a power saver.
Water
- Don’t leave a tap dripping. Each cubic meter of water costs nearly £2.
- Ensure water temperatures are set correctly. Water should be heated to 60°C to protect against legionella. Water at hand washing sinks should ideally be blended to 43°C.
- Check urinal controllers are fitted and operating correctly. Cisterns only require to fill and flush when the building is in use. A defective battery may mean they are filling continuosly.
Further advice, assistance and grant information is available from the sites linked to below.
External Links
Page & Site Tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Facilities Management
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000 Fax: 01259 727452
Email: propertyservices@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
