How companies can save energy
These practical tips will make it easy for you to cut the energy costs at your company. In addition to measures that you and your employees can implement yourselves, you can also get professional help to reduce your electricity and heating costs.
We’ve compiled some tips and suggestions to help you save energy and overhead costs efficiently and easily at your company. Your employees can follow our energy-saving tips and you’ll also learn how professional support can help you in reducing your company’s costs even further.
Topics:
Practical tips – save energy at your company
Save electricity at your company
Reduce your heating costs
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Professional help on how to save energy at your company
Save electricity at your company:
Cutting electricity costs with the PC
- Avoid the stand-by mode
Make sure computers and laptops are completely switched off. Remove the plug from the wall socket. - Turn off the WLAN router
You don’t need the WLAN router at weekends or after work, so just turn it off. - Don’t use animated screensavers
Animated screensavers use more energy than necessary. A simple black screensaver doesn’t need as much energy
Lightning
- Turn off the lights in unused rooms
This is really simple with a motion sensor – these turn off the lights automatically after a certain length of time. - Replace old light bulbs
Old light bulbs use more energy than energy-saving LED alternatives. - Place workstations close to the window
Taking advantage of natural daylight means that you won’t have to switch on desk lamp
In the factory hall
- Book low-rate tariffs
If possible, take advantage of cheaper, low-rate tariffs for your production processes
Electrical appliances
- Look for energy efficiency classes
Replace old electrical appliances with new energy-saving versions. Check the appliances’ efficiency classes before purchase.
- Maintenance
Have your electrical appliances serviced regularly.
Reduce your heating costs
Save energy by heating “properly”
- Each degree less will save you money
Every degree less needed in the room temperature will enable you to save around 6% heating energy. A room temperature of approx. 20°C is usually warm enough. - Understand your thermostats and set the right temperature
The numbers on the thermostat indicate how far the supply valve is open – they don’t directly reflect the room temperature. Fully opening the thermostat does not actually heat the room any faster.Thermostat levels:
Level 5: approx. 28°C
Level 4: approx. 24°C
Level 3: approx. 21°C
Level 2: approx. 16°C
Level 1: approx. 12 °C
Level 0: approx. 7°C
- Don’t constantly turn the radiator up and down
Always leave the radiator at a low level (level 1). Turn it up to level 2 or 3 when the room is occupied. - Turn down the heat in unused rooms
To avoid mould, however, the room temperature should never drop below 15°C in winter.
Keeping rooms warm
- Move furniture away from the radiators
Don’t place things in front of the radiators! Not only will this make them work more than necessary, but they’ll heat the furniture instead of the room.
- Always close the doors
Rooms stay warm for longer when the doors are kept closed.
- Close the blinds in the evening
Closing blinds and heavy curtains will reduce heat loss through the windows by up to 20%. To avoid mould at the windows, you should open them occasionally.
About the radiator
- Insulate heating against exterior walls yourself
Place an insulation sheet (available at a DIY store) behind the radiator. This will stop heat escaping via the exterior wall. - Remove dust from the radiator
Thick layers of dust inside the radiator will hinder an efficient distribution of heat. Use a 30-40cm long brush or the radiator nozzle on the hoover to clean the radiators when cold. - Insulate untight doors and windows
Use foamed material or rubber sealing tape to seal cracks and gaps. - Install programmable thermostatic valves
These heat individual rooms to the right temperature and then back down again at a set time. Install these yourself and save up to 10% on your heating costs.
Keeping rooms cool in summer
- Sunshades
Invest in a good sunshade that will keep the room naturally cool. Heat-repellent window foils or exterior blinds are ideal, but thermal curtains can also lower the room temperature. - Close windows and doors
If your offices are air-conditioned, it’s best to always keep the doors and windows closed to make sure the cool air stays in the room.
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Professional help on how to save energy at your company
Combined heat and power unit (CHP) – the electricity-generating heating system
You can save lots of energy costs straightaway by heating your rooms cleverly and introducing small energy-saving measures. There is, however, nothing you can do about the basic technology in your heating system, which may be outdated and thus consume more energy than a new heating system. That’s why it is worth thinking about replacing your current heating system.
In this context, you should consider installing a combined heat and power unit (CHP). CHP units generate electricity and heat at the same time, which reduces your energy costs. If your company or business has a high demand for energy throughout the year, then it’s the ideal place to install a CHP unit. Our energy experts will be glad to advise you further.
2. Energy audit
An energy audit is an inventory of a company‘s energy consumption. It will help you identify potential energy savings as well as to develop measures to use energy more efficiently and reduce your overhead costs.
3. Energy management system
An energy management system will check, analyse and improve your energy flows to reveal previously unused savings opportunities. This will reduce your company’s long-term and permanent energy consumption.
When it comes to energy savings, we support all types of companies in every type of industrial sector.