In 2010, the Carbon Trust estimated that most businesses could cut 10% from their energy bills just by adopting simple energy efficient measures. First, we’re looking at how you can save energy and money when it comes to lighting…

1. 5 easy tips for reducing business
lighting costs
In the continuing economic climate, every penny counts. Energy
costs are frequently cited as a significant drain on businesses’
resources - collectively, Britain’s small and medium enterprises
inadvertently waste vast amounts of energy, adding up to millions
of pounds each year. Luckily, help is at hand for energy-conscious
business owners. Just by taking a few simple energy efficiency
measures, most companies could reduce their annual lighting bills
by about 10% a year.
1 Turn it off
Switching off lights that are not in use is perhaps one of the
simplest ways to drastically reduce your outgoings on energy. This
can be as simple as requesting that your staff turn off the lights
in meeting rooms when they finish using them, switching off
fluorescent lights at break times and ensuring that all non-essential
lighting fixtures are turned off at nights, and especially if your
business closes for the weekend. 4 Fluorescents and Incandescents
Fluorescent tubes and incandescent bulbs can be a major source
2 Check Your Bulb Wattage and Size of energy wastage. While incandescent bulbs are gradually being
Many businesses pay more than they need to for lighting by phased out in workplaces around the country and replaced by
inadvertently illuminating their premises to a level brighter than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and halogen and LED light bulbs,
they actually need to be. Checking whether a lower-wattage bulb many maintenance cupboards still hold stocks of older bulbs. Be
in your existing fittings would be more appropriate for your lighting sure to make sure you replace faulty bulbs with one of these newer
needs or replacing older fixtures with smaller lights can really help variants. Flourescents are at their most wasteful and costly when
to reduce energy costs. they start flickering so be sure to replace these in short order.
3 Take Advantage of Technology 5 Think Long Term
Even with the best of intentions in place, sometimes lights are When replacing bulbs, tubes and fixtures, make sure to consider the
absent-mindedly left switched at nights or when rooms are vacant. cost of lighting over several years and not just the cost of the bulbs
Technology like motion sensors can help to ensure that lights are themselves. Don’t simply opt for the cheapest replacement you can
only active when needed and can be fitted to external lighting find! More expensive bulbs often have significantly longer lifespans;
circuits, as well as staff facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. Timer they’ll soon pay for themselves and after just a couple of years will
switches and occupancy sensors can help to achieve the same begin to save you money.
effect.
For more easy energy efficient tips for businesses, visit the npower
blog or sign up for Smart Start (our energy saving scheme for
SMEs).
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