How to make your business more energy efficient

The benefits of energy efficiency are significant, reducing energy costs and promoting sustainable development. Yet many companies fail to address the issue. Often this is due to a lack of knowledge, a lack of targets, a lack of a designated energy efficiency officer and a false belief that efficiency improvements cost more than they deliver.

But there are good reasons for all businesses to reduce energy consumption. Financially, energy efficiency impacts the business in terms of reduced costs. Any money you don't spend on energy costs is money you can add to profit.

Read also: Busting energy saving myths: What we should and shouldn’t do this winter

Climate-wise, you reduce your company's impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption. Also in recruitment sustainability is becoming increasingly important. Many people, especially in the younger generations, are turning their backs on employers who do not share their values. Not to mention customers, who are increasingly demanding solid sustainability performance from their suppliers.

Getting started with energy efficiency measures can be difficult at first. It is important to remember that most people can reduce their energy consumption by 10-20 per cent through simple, free measures. In addition, reducing your environmental impact should be high on your to-do list.

Remember: even if you already use fossil-free energy in your business, it is important to minimise your consumption. Not only will this save your company money, but it will also help to conserve the common resources you have at your disposal.

Five tips for businesses looking to become more energy efficient:

1. Carry out regular maintenance: Ensure all systems and equipment are operating at peak performance with regular maintenance and servicing.
2. Use automation: Install systems that automatically control lighting, heating and cooling to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
3. Train staff: Inform and train staff on the importance of energy efficiency and how they can help reduce consumption.
4. Monitor and analyse energy use: Use energy management systems to continuously monitor and analyse your company's energy consumption and identify areas for improvement. 
5. Invest in energy efficient appliances and equipment: Switch to energy-efficient machinery and lighting to reduce energy consumption.

And here are some more concrete tips:

Save on lighting
It makes a bigger difference than you might think. Lighting costs for your business can be significantly reduced with the right measures. First, look at when and how the lights are used. Much of the time the lights are on is completely unnecessary. Ensure that lights are only switched on when they are actually needed by using timers, motion detectors and presence control. Further gains can be made by adapting lighting to existing light – with twilight relays, outdoor lights can be switched off during the day.

Save on heating and water
When you want to reduce energy consumption for heating, insulation, ventilation and heat recovery are important tools. One measure that can save up to 80 per cent is demand-control of heating, ventilation and heating water, for example. By installing a control system, you can use timers and thermostats to regulate so that energy is not consumed unnecessarily when the premises are not in use. It's an investment but one that pays off in the long run.

Reuse heat
Another measure is to reuse heat from the ventilation system. Heat exchangers and exhaust air pumps allow you to recover heat from the ventilation air. If cooling is needed, night air can be used to cool the building's structure.

Avoid heat and water leaks
Insulation of leaky windows, pipes and buildings is also important. If the building is older, additional insulation can be effective. To reduce water consumption, you should use low-flow taps and make sure you have no leaks. Lowering the temperature of the water heater also provides good savings.

For more information on energy efficiency, contact Vattenfall in your country:

Sweden vattenfall.se/foretag | Energy Plaza

The Netherlands vattenfall.nl/grootzakelijk

Germany vattenfall.de/geschaeftskunden

Denmark vattenfall.dk/vores-services/elaftaler

Great Britain vattenfall.co.uk