With energy bills and other costs rising, every business owner will no doubt be looking for ways to reduce costs wherever possible while trying to conserve energy in the workplace. Becoming more energy efficient can be challenging, but by making changes or improvements to different areas, small and medium-sized businesses could reduce energy bills by as much as 25% – could you be one of them?

How to conserve energy in the workplace

We’ve talked before about ways to make your office more eco-friendly, but with specific tips and tricks, you can also help conserve energy in the workplace. These practical strategies can help you lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment. So let’s take a look at what you can do.

Energy-efficient office lighting

One of the simplest ways to conserve energy in the workplace and reduce energy use overall is to switch to energy-efficient office lighting. By replacing your traditional filament light bulbs or fluorescent tubes with LED lights, you can potentially reduce your energy usage by up to 80%. 

While it might be a sizeable investment, you’ll actually save money in the long-term as LED lights have a longer lifespan and don't require regular replacement. And by encouraging all staff to turn lights off in offices or meeting rooms that are no longer in use, you can decrease costs further.

Use natural lighting

While energy-efficient lighting is a good step forward, making the most of any available natural lighting is essential. Take advantage of natural light by opening blinds during the day and reduce the need for artificial lighting, energy efficient or otherwise. Also, consider installing skylights or light tubes if your offices or workspace have limited natural light.

Switch off unused appliances and equipment

Any electronics and appliances left on standby mode still consume significant energy over time. Encourage your employees to switch off (and unplug if they can) their computers, monitors, chargers, and other electronics when not in use. Communal equipment like printers should also be turned off each night.

Kitchen appliances can also be a hotbed of wasted energy. Simple things like checking the seals to ensure they’re efficient and not overfilling the fridge can help. And ensuring you have an energy-rated fridge freezer, kettle, microwave, or hot water dispenser can also make a difference.

Check office heating and cooling

Depending on the size of your offices, keeping them warm enough in winter and cool enough in summer can be a very real challenge. Heating and cooling can be significant sources of energy consumption in all offices. Adjusting the thermostat, using ceiling fans, and limiting the use of inefficient air conditioning can be effective ways to conserve energy in the workplace. But when the heating or air conditioning is used, keep windows and doors closed.

Conserve workplace energy with Thirsty Work

Plenty can be done to conserve energy in the workplace, and getting your staff involved will make a difference in how quickly you can make changes. Talking to them about energy issues and getting their thoughts and input will involve them in the process and make them part of the solution. And remember, an energy-efficient and cost-effective hot water dispenser for your kitchen can be a great place to start!

Call our customer service team today for more information on our hot water dispensers or our range of bottled and mains-fed water coolers – or get started with your no-obligation 10-day free trial. Call us on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com