Business can look to make energy savings in buildings in a number of ways. For example controlling heating more effectively will help save energy and reduce costs, adjusting thermostats rather than opening windows during winter.
Where buildings are being renovated or new offices constructed environmental considerations can be taken into account such as ensuring adequate insulation.
What businesses can do
Checking insulation, windows, and for damp will help ensure that your building is not using excess energy it will also help maintain a better working environment.
Measures such as double glazing and insulation can help make buildings more energy efficient, heat loss accounts for around 15% of a buildings total energy cost. The Energy Saving Trust provides more information on improving building fabric
WRAP provide a directory of recycled products
Microgenerataion from sun, wind, hydro or other renewable resources can help meet businesses energy needs while helping to lower carbon dioxide emission. For more information see the microgeneration page. The DTI provides grants and information through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme
Examples of what Wealden is doing:
Energy Management has been carried out in the Council's own properties since 1987, with the introduction of the Council’s first energy control scheme (one of the first in the UK and the subject of an Energy Efficiency Office grant and national report).
Which set out to:
(a) To achieve a high standard of energy efficiency in current and future building.
(b) To maintain and use the properties efficiently and in the context of this plan, particularly the heat source and distribution, ventilation and thermal insulation.
(c) To minimise CO2 emissions to a level consistent with the achievement of objectives 1(a) and (b)
Wealden has started using microgenration at our award-winning public toilets in Pevensey Bay. Tap water is heated using solar panels, and the roof mounted wind turbine generates electricity to run the car park pay and display machine. It also has a rain water collection system to flush the toilets.
More advice on maintaining and improving building fabric can be found at the Energy Saving Trust. They also provide more specific guides for different industries.