Energy saving at work

Improving energy efficiency at work

Your business could save on energy costs by making some simple changes to increase energy efficiency.

Lighting

• Service and clean your lighting installations regularly.
• Replace inefficient lighting and maximise your building's natural light.
• Fit infra-red motion detection controls to your infrequently used lights.
• Replace your incandescent lamps with high efficiency fluorescent or metal vapour lamps.
• Install a time adjustable push button for after hours use.
• CFL safety

• Check thermostats or measure temperature levels regularly to make sure you maintain the recommended comfort temperature setting of 24°C for summer and 21°C for winter.
• Make sure thermostats and auto-timers match company work patterns.
• Inspect and maintain the air-conditioning system regularly.
• Clean and replace building air-filters regularly.
• Check the building for adequate roof and wall insulation.
• Reduce air-conditioning demands by locating thermostats away from heat sources such as urns, photocopiers, natural sunlight or space heaters.
• Do not air-condition areas that do not need it, for example storage rooms.
• Where ceiling heights are excessive, consider a hanging ceiling.
• Keep windows and doors closed when the air-conditioning is on.
• Install automatic time switches or energy management systems.
• Set the air-conditioning system to times when the building is occupied.
• Install automatic door closers in the building.
• Install internal blinds/curtains on windows to reduce solar heat gains.

• If you have shower facilities in the building, consider installing low flow shower nozzles.
• The hot water tank should be installed as close as possible to the usage point so heat is not lost during transportation.
• If the hot water system has an adjustable thermostat, adjust the temperature to provide the minimum hot water temperature required.
• Choose the best size hot water system to suit your needs.
• Insulate hot water pipes between the tank and the taps.
• Turn the hot water system off if it's not needed for extended periods of time.
• Ensure hot water is operating on the most economical energy rate.

• Use the right equipment and appliances.
• Ensure cooking equipment is suitable for the quantity of food being prepared.
• Use appliances designed for specific tasks. For example, toasters and deep fryers save energy.
• Regularly check appliance door seals, hinges and catches.
• Have malfunctioning equipment repaired promptly.

• Regularly check door gaskets, hinges and catches.
• Regularly defrost any ice build-up on your evaporator.
• Call for service if your motor refuses to shut down or switch off regularly.
• Periodically inspect the thermal insulation on refrigeration lines for damage.
• Use a thermometer to check cabinet temperatures of all refrigerators and freezers.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers as full as possible.
• Keep glass doors clean to allow maximum visibility of products.
• Allow for adequate airflow around motor and condenser fins.
• Shield externally located motors from direct heat, sun and weather.
• Consider adding air curtains or plastic strip curtains for your cool room doorways.
• Think about reclaiming wasted heat from your large refrigeration systems to heat water for offices, toilets and change rooms.
• At night turn off any display lighting on your equipment.
• At night use thermal covers for your display units.
• Insulate the refrigeration suction line.

• Electric motors are robust but they still need servicing. Make sure motor mounting, pulleys, attached pumps or fans are mechanically sound.
• Regularly maintain motor starting equipment.
• Have the motor serviced as soon as you hear unusual noises, or if it becomes excessively hot.
• Ensure motors have adequate ventilation and are free of rubbish or waste.
• Reduce the amount of energy used. With your large motors, consider continuous operating processes in preference to stop/start operation.
• Motor capacity and speed should match the function or process.
• Turn off equipment when not in use and have 'Switch Off' notices placed near machines.
• Install variable speed drives (VSD) whenever suitable.

• When not in use for long periods, turn off electrical equipment such as photocopiers and computers. Even if the equipment is on standby it is still using a significant amount of electricity.
• Be sure to use power-save options and switch office equipment off at night or when not in use. Machines like these also produce a lot of extra heat, leading to windows being opened, or fans and air conditioning being turned on and wasting electricity.

• Consider replacing old expensive-to-run appliances and look for new appliances with high energy star ratings. Energy efficient whitegoods can save up to $1,400 and prevent up to 14 tonnes of greenhouse gas from being emitted into the environment over a ten-year product life span. The more star ratings, the more energy efficient the appliance and the lower the running costs and greenhouse gas emissions.