The soaring price of gas and electricity is impacting industry nationwide. With construction one of the heaviest energy users, small and medium-sized firms with less flexibility to absorb rising overheads are being hit hardest. Alex Minett, Head of Products and Markets at CHAS looks at five steps every construction business can take to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
1. Make Heating Effective
While keeping warm onsite and in draughty warehouses come with its own set of non-energy-reliant tips and techniques, firms with office spaces can ensure they are minimising heating costs in much the same way as they would at home. Block draughts and insulate wherever possible, especially pipes and water tanks. Ensure radiators are obstruction free (including from desks and furniture) and install heat reflectors. Workplace temperature can be a contentious issue when there are multiple workers to please. Agree on an appropriate temperature range for the various times of the year and assign one designated person to control the thermostat or, make use of smart heating controls. Be mindful of air conditioning running at the same time as heating and during warm weather, ensure the air conditioning is switched off whenever the office is empty.
2. Manage Lighting and Electrics
Switching off lights that aren’t in use is the simplest way of reducing lighting costs but when this isn’t an option consider what other changes can be made. The benefits of LED lighting over older style bulbs have been well-publicised and offer 90% savings over incandescent bulbs, according to the Renewable Energy Hub. What’s more, they last longer too – one LED bulb can provide 50,000 hours of light compared to 1500 hours from the older style bulb. There’s now a much wider choice of LED shapes and fittings and increased demand means that costs are coming down too.
Natural light is often overlooked but make use of this wherever possible by keeping windows clear of clutter and storage. Moving workstations to where the natural light is maximised as well as using light or reflective paint on the walls reduces the reliance on artificial lighting.
Consider investing in energy-saving equipment such as motion and daylight sensors or automatic switches and timers which can make a significant contribution to reducing lighting and electricity costs. Research whether there are any battery or solar-powered alternatives to electricity-draining equipment. Laptops, for example, are far more energy efficient than PCs.
3. Switch off Machinery and Tools
One of the biggest energy drains in construction originates from the running of heavy-duty equipment. However, there are savings to be made when it comes to how it is used, some of which requires just a simple shift in operator habits. Avoid leaving machines idling and where practical ensure they are turned off during breaks or between jobs. Check whether there are low/eco power modes that can be used instead of full throttle. Lastly, make it standard practice to ensure all machines such as fans, pumps and conveyors are turned off at the end of the working day.
4. Conduct Energy Audits
Conducting energy audits helps identify where energy inefficiencies occur and where action can be taken. The Energy Saving Trust have produced a handy checklist for assessing workspaces and equipment.
Faulty or below-par machinery can be a huge drain on energy resources so it’s important to keep up to date with equipment checks and maintenance. Among other measures, listen out for leaks in compressed air pipes and ensure air filters are changed regularly. Factories with refrigeration units should adopt quick wins to preserve energy such as keeping doors closed, repairing door seals and ensuring vents are kept clear for efficient air circulation.
Don’t overlook communal spaces such as kitchens. Multiple cups of tea come at a price so replacing kettles, fridges and microwaves with the most energy-efficient models will all pay dividends. Basic housekeeping such as using washing up bowls and removing old food from fridges so they aren’t overfull are simple energy-saving steps to take.
5. Embed Energy Efficient Behaviours
Getting employees on board with energy-saving processes can be challenging particularly if adjustments are perceived as being more time-consuming or inconvenient. However, it’s important to emphasise to employees how small changes can make a big impact. Use meetings and training to highlight how to use, tools, machinery and IT equipment at their most efficient. Consider labelling switches so workers know which operating machinery they can turn off and how to do it correctly. Displaying posters in relevant areas can also be useful best practice reminders.
Conclusion
It’s worth pointing out the legal obligations a business has for keeping workers safe from harm in line with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Energy-saving shortcuts should never have a detrimental impact on the safety and integrity of equipment and processes.
However, when implemented appropriately, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that UK SMEs could save 18-25% on their energy bills if some of these measures are adopted. In today’s economic climate, these are savings that cannot be ignored.
