Running a business has always been a difficult venture. With the incoming economic recession due to the pandemic knocking at our doors, this already difficult task is only going to become more challenging. But, knowing about the danger is the first step in avoiding it, and fortunately, ways to cut down various types of operational costs are numerous just as they are effective.
This time, we are going to put the focus on energy savings that have not only proved to be one of the most practical ways of optimizing the company’s budget but also tie into another relevant topic – the alarming state of global pollution and climate change.
So, let’s take a look at a couple of ways to bring the energy consumption of your company down.
Optimize the use of artificial light
This is one of the easiest ways of making your company more eco-friendly and sustainable. The first thing you should do in this regard is to maximize the use of natural light around the workplace. This can be achieved either by expanding the available window space or by moving the workstations closer to the light source. The most productive shifts should be organized during daylight hours as well. The second action to take is to replace all the dated incandescent bulbs with their low wattage CFL or LED lights. The savings you will be able to make can reach 87%.
Upgrade outdated devices and equipment
The outdated and worn-out electrical equipment no longer works at the level of efficiency considered acceptable by modern standards. Replacing all these devices with newer models with a certified energy rating will not only make your workplace more sustainable but also far safer. Another thing you should take into serious consideration is switching up your desktop PC units for more energy-efficient laptops. Using hibernation and energy-saving features should be mandatory rather than optional.
Harness solar energy
Solar panels took some time to become accessible to a wider range of customers, but the technology is finally becoming affordable enough for SMB owners. We can see this development all around the world, especially in booming business hubs in East Asia, like Hong Kong, where more and more small companies use solar systems equipped with a solar inverter to meet their energy demands. Taking into account growing the available incentives supporting this expansion (e.g., the investment is fully deductible), this may be the best moment to jump on this clean energy bandwagon.
Introduce telecommuting
The contemporary Cloud tools have made remote collaboration as streamlined as it gets, so you should seriously consider giving your employees the option to perform some of their shifts or even the entire work weeks from the comfort of their homes. What are the benefits of this proposition? You, as an employer, will save considerable money on electricity, heating, and cooling. Your workers, on the other hand, will save time and money on commuting. It’s truly a win-win situation for both parties.
Take care of the energy leaks
Now that we touched upon the topic of heating and cooling, it is a good opportunity to mention that the energy spent by both these utilities can be considerably reduced by taking care of the workplace is properly insulated. Taking care of the walls should be your primary objective, but if the budget allows you, you should consider installing insulating doors, windows, and draft seals as well. But, your heating and cooling appliances could also be leaking energy as a result of poor maintenance. Schedule regular inspections to make sure that’s not an issue. According to iHeat, if you don’t have access to your equipment warranty, the next step moving forward is looking for a reliable professional that can help you assess any improvements that you can make. From this point on, you will want to keep them under supervisión by scheduling, as mentioned, inspections.
Encourage employees to take part in the action
All the measures we have proposed above can produce some incredibly tangible results, but creating a truly green workplace requires involvement and active participation on all levels. That is why you should incentivize your employees to take this issue seriously. One of the ways to do that is through various rewards and benefits (days off, opportunity to work from home, etc.). The other method to get your workers more involved is to allow them to form an energy-saving committee and propose ideas of their own. You may end up with some very creative solutions you never even thought of.
We hope these few tips will help you to make your company premises greener, cleaner, and far more energy-efficient. The contemporary business environment is relentless, and things are going to become even rougher as time goes by. If making sure that your workplace is not leaking energy is a way to plow through this difficult period, we say it’s more than worth trying.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced content writer with a focus on business, technology, entrepreneurship, and real estate.