In our current climate, most of us are searching for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and save money, especially since the cost of living increases and the energy crisis. So what can we do to begin making changes to what we use and waste to reach our eco goals? Find out below our 5 ways to reduce your energy costs.
Turn off Standby
A practical way to conserve energy is to completely switch off equipment instead of leaving them in standby mode. You can make a list of all the devices in your building that have a standby mode and turn them off when not in use, including TVs, computers, machinery, and tools. Another effective option is to use smart plugs. these can plug into your sockets, enabling you to remotely turn off your equipment or even set a schedule for their automatic shutdown. With this technology, you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 5%, equivalent to 500-1000 Kilowatts per year. Smart plugs are readily available online on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay, and they require a 2.4gHz Wi-Fi connection.
Switch to LED Lighting
Did you know that you can significantly reduce your electricity usage by switching to LED bulbs? Traditional lighting using standard bulbs consumes more energy than expected, but LED bulbs only use 2 to 18 Watts compared to 25 to 100 Watts for traditional incandescent bulbs. This means that you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 90% simply by making this switch. Additionally, installing motion sensors in specific areas of your building can reduce your electricity usage by a further 30%, as you will only use lights when someone is in that room. By implementing these simple changes, you can be confident that you are doing your part to save energy and reduce your environmental impact.
Insulation and Window Improvements
To ensure that your building stays warm during the colder months, it’s crucial to retain heat. Without proper insulation, you could lose up to 25% of heat through the roof alone, with an additional 18% escaping through poorly maintained windows. Fortunately, insulating your loft is an affordable and efficient way to retain heat, and it doesn’t take much time. While improving your windows’ efficiency may be more costly and time-consuming, it can significantly reduce heat loss. Upgrading from single-glazed to double-glazed windows is essential for heat retention, even though some older double-glazed windows may become less effective over time. By maximizing heat retention, you can lower your energy bills and reduce your heating usage during the colder months.
Machine Monitoring
We couldn’t do a top 5 ways to reduce your energy costs without including data collection and monitoring. When trying to improve efficiency, productivity and your environment, data is key!
In highly productive settings such as factories, various machinery and tools are utilized to achieve optimal output. By closely monitoring the performance of each individual machine, you gain valuable insights into their level of efficiency and can easily identify any maintenance or repair needs. Upon analysis, it’s clear that some older machines operate below the expected levels, resulting in higher operational costs. However, by replacing parts or upgrading to newer models, you can significantly enhance performance and reduce operational expenses. The availability of this data allows for the setup of predictive maintenance with automated alerts, ensuring that machines are always working at their best, which in turn prevents unexpected breakdowns and boosts productivity. Our state-of-the-art ENV01 sensors provide a convenient and reliable means of monitoring electricity, water, gas usage, temperature, vibration, and sound data. Contact our team to learn more and take advantage of our expertise in this field.
Energy Monitoring
Detecting inefficiencies and leaks in a building can be a challenging task that often results in high costs for business owners due to excessive energy consumption. However, with the help of our ENV01 sensors, connected to smart meters for water, gas, and electricity, we can collect valuable data to identify potential issues and make necessary changes. Through our live dashboard monitoring, we have successfully detected water leaks in major factories and our own building, providing us with the confidence to help other businesses achieve similar results.
If you wish to find out more about our sensors and how they can help you reduce your costs and usage, contact our team today!