Getting started

Monitoring and measuring

Read your meters frequently and record – build up a picture of what is being used.

Is energy being used when the site is shut – are lights, equipment left on over the weekend. Reading meters at close of work on a Friday and first thing Monday will help to identify this unnecessary usage.

Many companies find cleaners cupboards, disabled toilets with lights left on continuously. When buying household electrical items for offices (fridges, dishwashers etc) choose ones with a high energy efficiency rating.

Raise employee awareness

Ensure IT equipment is set to power down, equipment and lights are switched off when not in use.

Air conditioning

Is it really necessary, in the first instance?

Top tips
Reduce amount of equipment that is on and power down IT equipment, switch off lighting, keep blinds shut including overnight where evening sun affects the office (once heat gain has occurred shutting blinds is too late).

Only use air conditioning when absolutely necessary and ensure that heating and cooling systems are not working in conflict – is the air conditioning on when windows are open

Compressors

The Carbon Trust quotes that industrial sites can save around 10% through improving compressor efficiency.

Top Tips

• Make sure that all leaks are repaired immediately.  Losses through a 5mm diameter hole cost 55p/hour. 
• Regularly check automatic drain traps to ensure that they are not continuously passing air, or have not been bypassed. Faulty drain traps can waste large quantities of compressed air.   
• Ensure that compressed air is generated at the minimum required pressure.  The higher the pressure, the more energy is required - generating air at lower pressures will thus save energy and therefore money. 
• Compressors should always be switched off when there is no demand for air.  Compressors can use as much as 70% of on-load power when idling.
• Air inlet filters should be checked regularly.  Dirty filters result in pressure losses and waste money.  Clean reusable filter elements and replace disposable units.
• The air treatment system should be regularly inspected and maintained.  Lack of regular, correct maintenance of the air treatment plant can increased compressed air costs by as much as 30%.  

Heating

The Carbon Trust quote that only 78% of original fuel energy content leaves the boiler in the steam – energy in steam is lost through leakage, overcoming frictional resistance and as heat loss from pipe work.  Useful energy at point of use may only be up to 50% of that released from burning the fuel.

Best practice can generate improvements of 10-15% or more of the fuel input for a typical steam system with associated cost savings.

Regular Maintenance

• Inspect pipelines and plant rooms regularly
• Involve maintenance personal on the positive impact of energy efficient operation
• Remove or isolate redundant pipe work
• Maintain pumps and automotive valves
• Obtain good maintenance records – drawings, instructions, procedures