Energy Efficient

In this article, we will have a look at Making your Business More Energy Efficient.

Energy efficiency isn’t just helpful to the planet. It’s also beneficial for business. Rising energy bills, combined with stricter sustainability targets, mean that companies across the world are trying to find ways to make their company more energy-efficient, while also cutting down on waste. If you want to make your life easier, then one thing you can do is try and make sure that you are using technology to your advantage. If you do, then you will find it easier to lower your carbon footprint while also giving your business a distinct advantage.

Smart Energy Management

One of the things you need to do is try and make sure that you are adopting smart energy management. Traditional meters are good, and they do give you a basic reading, but at the same time, you do need to make sure that you go beyond this. Collect data across your business by using energy meters and adopt AI as a way to try and find out if you can do anything to highlight inefficiencies along the way. You should also make sure that you are trying to predict peak usage, as this is again a good way for you to find out if you can save. Automated controls can be used to turn down your cooling and heating, too, especially when demand is low. If you have a smart system, then this is great if you want to reduce HVAC output, but at the same time, it’s better if this can be done when there are fewer people in the office. You should also try and switch off equipment if it is sitting idle overnight. Adjustments like this are great if you want to take advantage of significant savings, and they do not require any manual intervention at all.

It’s also a good idea for you to assess the heating systems you have, as well as to make sure that you have a baseline of energy efficiency. If you have a dated system, then no amount of smart tech is going to improve this, so make sure that you keep that in mind if you can. It’s not just businesses that can benefit from this either. If you run an educational facility, then energy efficiency is just as important, as it can help you to gain the edge you need to stand out to prospective students, especially if they are passionate about the environment. You can find a range of school heaters online if you want to explore this further. 

Smart Lighting

Lighting can account for up to 40% of your energy use, so you need to upgrade if you can. LED bulbs will use roughly 75% less energy than normal bulbs, and on top of this, they tend to last longer, too. If you can combine LED lights with motion and occupancy sensors, then this will help you to switch off the lights in the rooms you are not in. You can also use daylight harvesting systems to adjust the lighting based on the daylight you have coming into your windows. Remember, at the end of the day, even small businesses can benefit from upgrades like this, and something as simple as having smart lighting in your meeting rooms can make a monumental difference to your energy savings. Office tech is another place where you can save as well. Virtualization and cloud computing give you the chance to reduce the amount of on-site servers you have, which can make a big difference to your overall. As remote work grows and as hybrid work becomes more popular, businesses that embrace the cloud will find that they do not need to rely on physical file storage and constant printing as much.

Optimising HVAC, including heating, air conditioning, and ventilation, will take up a big part of your energy bill as well. The good news here is that new technology is coming out all the time, and it is making it easier for you to cut down on your energy consumption without having to worry about sacrificing comfort. Smart thermostats are a very good investment as they allow you to heat and cool your business accordingly. You can also use predictive maintenance as a way to detect issues, such as inefficient fans or even blocked filters. Variable speed drives can also help motors and pumps, so that they only run as fast as they need to. If you can adopt things like this, then you can feel comfortable with cutting down on energy wastage, and at the same time, you can extend the lifespan of your equipment.

Renewable Energy

If you want to take bigger steps, then renewable energy solutions are the way to go. They can reduce your reliance on the grid as well. Solar panels are now more affordable than ever, and they are also highly efficient. This is especially the case if you need a large roof space. Wind turbines and even microgrids offer off-grid solutions, and they are ideal if you want to operate within certain industries. Battery storage solutions also make it easier for you to store excess energy so that it can be used during peak times. Even if you know that on-site generation might not be practical, you can still choose to use green energy contracts as a way to commit to more renewable energy. This is a great way for you to meet any sustainability targets you might have, and it also allows you to get the result you want. 

Smarter Operations

Efficiency really does go beyond office walls. It plays a huge role in energy consumption as well. Route optimisation software is so important, and it also helps your drivers to take more efficient routes to their destination. You also have fleet electrification. With EVs or even hybrids, you can transition slowly away from fossil fuels, which is really bad for the environment. If you can combine this with digital workflows, then this reduces the need for printed paperwork, which helps to cut down on energy and material waste. Changes like this not only save energy, they also help to improve customer service, with methods that are faster, greener, and more efficient overall. 

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Haider Khalid

IP Network Consultant (CCIE# 52939) | Service Provider | Data Center Networks
Haider Khalid is an IP Network Consultant (CCIE# 52939) who has worked with several ISPs & Telecom operators in Pakistan, Middle East and the UK. He is always keen to learn new technologies and likes to share them with his peers and other people. In case of any questions or feedback, please feel free to drop a comment below or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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