Case for T8 luminaires
Ballast and lamp replacement with T8 luminaires. The advantages of T8 luminaires include reduced maintenance costs (by extending the revamping cycle) and better environmental impact (less mercury content per lamp). T8 luminaires are ideal for applications requiring maximum maintained light output.
Case for T5 lamps
Fitting and lamp replacement with 14 W T5s. These lamps are ideal for high-bay or commercial troffer applications. They benefit from long life, maintenance is hassle-free, and they are some of the best energy-efficient fluorescent lighting systems available.
Making lighting energy efficient can help a company achieve significant savings. Estimates show that in the UK, some 20 % of the electricity generated is used for lighting and that over 75 % of lighting installations are thought to be out of date.
The case for LEDs
Direct lamp replacement by 9 W light emitting diodes, or LEDs, which are energy efficient, ecologically friendly, low-voltage, and have a long life, higher application efficiency, and other durability advantages.
Making lighting energy efficient can help a company achieve significant savings. Estimates show that in the UK, some 20 % of the electricity generated is used for lighting and that over 75 % of lighting installations are thought to be out of date.
Cost-effective changes include the:
Efficient lighting… the case for condensed fluorescents
It may seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest solutions can make a big different in the short-term. Replacing lamps usually takes no special skills and yields immediate results.
For example, think about changing to 14 W condensed fluorescent lamps (CFL), which are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.
Water-saving valves, a simple efficiency measure for SMEs too
Regular hand-washing is hygienic, and stops the spread of viruses and bacteria. But all that washing can use a lot of water. Installing water-saving valves is a good solution.
A company with around 100 employees can save some 350 m2 of fresh water per year by introducing water-saving valves on wash basins with a flow rate of up to 6 litres per minute. This cuts water use by some 60 % compared to conventional valves.
High-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers have become an industry standard today, thanks in large part to better technologies and improved performance. Modern dryers boast 10-15-second dry times and use up to 90 % less electricity than traditional models. Importantly, 10 seconds is also the average time that it takes a person to dry his/her hands with paper towels, so hand dryers today have closed the gap.
Efficient hand dryers offer considerable savings over paper towel dispenser and can pay back the initial investment within a few months.
Is double-glazing for you? Absolutely
Having double-glazed windows installed is one of the best-known and effective ways to reduce energy bills in countries with colder winters. This technology can help to reduce heat loss and limit condensation, which also cuts heating costs, and they provide better insulation against outside noise.
Thinking outside, and inside, the box
Discounted Office Supplies (DOS) is a family-owned company in the UK with a focus on customer service. Until recently, the company had PCs with old and slow Windows XP operating systems which were inefficient and lacked the latest tools for remote-working and network management.
About 70 % of office waste is recyclable. As recycling is generally cheaper than other disposal routes, ensuring you effectively recycle can save your organisation money. To set up an effective and convenient recycling system, you will need to analyse quantities and types of waste you produce (see fact sheet Monitoring material streams). Once you have established this, here are some actions that will help your organisation recycle more effectively.
Most businesses rely on a range of office equipment in order to function. From the basics like computers, printers, and copiers to projectors, scanners and teleconference facilities, it is widely recognised that these items have become integral to daily activity. But it is not always appreciated how much these cost a company. Office equipment is the fastest growing energy user in the business world, and expected to comprise 30 % of office energy use by 2020.
The benefits of increasing equipment efficiency include: