Reducing your energy consumption can benefit your business in multiple ways. Energy cost savings can positively impact your business’s bottom line by reducing your operational cost and increasing profitability and sustainability. At the same time, it minimises your environmental footprint and brings your business a step closer to be environmentally friendly. Another way to reduce your energy cost is to shift your electricity consumption whenever possible from peak times to off peak times. Shifting the time of use can have a longer term cost benefit to your business where some of your fixed charges are likely to be lower over time.

Read on for more information.

Lighting

Simple Measures

• Clean dusty diffusers and lamps frequently.
• Turn off lights when not needed.
• Turn off signs and other lights not needed for security and safety.

Low Cost Measures

• Substitute incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
• Remove excess fluorescent lights and install reflectors.
• Substitute incandescent or fluorescent exit signs with long-lasting, low-energy LED exit signs.
• Buy dimmable light fittings to adjust the intensity of the light in a room.

Enhanced Measures

• Install motion detectors to control lighting in frequently unoccupied areas such as restrooms and printing rooms
• Rewire restroom fans to operate with the lights
• Install energy management system (EMS) technology to control lighting systems automatically.

Office Equipment or Machinery

Simple Measures

• Turn off computers, monitors, printers, copiers and lights at the end of each working day.
• Reduce paper use by printing double-sided or re-using paper.
• Send email instead of printing and faxing documents.

Low Cost Measures

• Use laptop as they consume 90% less energy than desktop computers.
• Use inkjet printers as they consume 90% less energy than laser printers.
• Buy the right sized copier for your business.

Enhanced Measures

• Buy energy rated office equipment that can power down after a period of inactivity.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Simple Measures

• Aim to keep room area temperatures at 18°C during winter and 25°C during summer.
• Close shades during early morning and late evening to reduce heat gain.
• Close doors to the outdoors to retain cooled air.
• Turn off air conditioner for the last hour of each work day.

Low Cost Measures

• Install timers or programmable thermostats to maximise efficiency of your air conditioner.
• Install locking covers on your thermostats to prevent people from tampering with the temperature settings.
• Perform regular maintenance on units including checking ducts and pipe insulation for damage.
• Clean condenser coils and replace filters regularly

Enhanced Measures

• Replace old heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems with new, energy-efficient systems.
• Install blinds or solar screen shades to cool your workplace.
• Install reflective window film or awnings on all south-west facing windows.
• Install ceiling and wall insulation.
• Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.
• Pressurise and test all ducts for leakage.
• Consider installing adjustable speed drives as they can change the speed of the fan motors to match the amount of air that is needed.

Refrigeration

Simple Measures

• Keep fridges reasonably full and make sure there’s enough room for cold air to circulate.
• Keep fridges in a well-ventilated location and do not expose to direct sunlight or heat from other equipment.

Low Cost Measures

• Regular maintenance of fridges.
• Maintain evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
• Adjust door latches.
• Replace worn door seals.
• Observe and investigate any unusual noises your fridge makes.

Enhanced Measures

• Install high-efficiency evaporator and condenser fan motors.
• Install variable speed drives to reduce cooling system’s energy use.
• Install additional condensing capacity to reduce discharge pressure.
• Insulate cooler/freezer area.

Source: http://www.australia.gov.au/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/energy-efficiency