Question: I’m a retail business owner and I’ve looked everywhere for a comprehensive checklist that tells me how to save energy costs on lighting. There’s too much information out there, can you please just simplify it for me?
Answer: Of course! After all, that’s the point; saving on energy costs should be simple! According to Carbon Trust, 25% of a business’ electricity costs stem from lighting. By following these top ten tips that we’ve gathered from experts like Carbon Trust and COSE, you can make sure your business is the most energy-efficient it can be! Ready to watch your energy-savings sky rocket? Here we go!
Our top ten tips for efficient lighting in the workplace:
- Install occupancy sensors to ensure that lights are off when a room is empty: these can reduce electricity usage by nearly 30%.
- Optimize natural lighting in the workplace: use daylight sensors that adjust artificial lighting depending on the amount of natural light present at the time and save nearly 40% on your electricity use!
- Wipe on, wipe off: how often do you clean your windows and skylights? If natural light filters are too filthy to do their job, you’re definitely paying more than you should in energy costs.
- Keep wiping! It’s not just windows and skylights that need maintaining. Clean your bulbs and lampshades to ensure optimal performance.
- Take advantage of programs available to help small businesses cut down on energy costs: did you know that the SaveONenergy Small Business Lighting Program offers sustainable lighting retrofits to qualified retailers? Apply now!
- Just do it: change your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents or LEDs. Oh, and change your EXIT signs while you’re at it.
- Engage your staff: it takes more than management to sustain energy savings on a day-to-day basis. Learn how to get your team on-board with sustainable activities in the workplace!
- Out with the old and in with the innovative; make use of technology that could save you time, and money. From energy-tracking and monitoring software to useful apps that can help track staff engagement (see our blog on Greengage Mobile), there are tons of ways to make tracking sustainable practices in the workplace easier for you and your team.
- Read the signs! A great way to remind staff and inform customers about your energy-saving initiatives is to place signs throughout the office or store. It’s great PR and reminds members of your team to do their duty and contribute to bettering the bottom line.
- Use colours to your advantage! Light-coloured walls reflect light and can save you setting up that extra bulb.
Follow these tips and see huge savings when it comes to lighting in the workplace. Did we miss something? Let us know!
Interested in more ways to save on energy? Try our interactive energy audit for commercial businesses! It’s free and can help you identify additional areas of your business where you can start saving.
image credit: acidpix
Other articles you might be interested in include:
Sustainable Lighting: Cut Costs, Improve Productivity
What do I need to know about LED lighting for restaurants?
Daylight lighting and sun tubes help you save energy costs
Rebates & Incentives for commercial businesses
