During Scotland’s winters, heating our workplaces to comfortable levels becomes essential. But it’s also a big expense. For some organisations, it’s half the energy bill.
At this time of year, even the smallest inefficiencies waste hard-earned profits, increases your carbon footprint, and impacts your staff’s comfort and productivity.
The good news is you don’t have to let soaring energy bills put a freeze on your profits this winter. There are lots of easy checks you can do, and no or low-cost changes you can make, to make help your business stays warm for less.
1. Draught-proof roof lights, doors and windows to stop heat escaping
Lost heat is wasted heat and will make your heating system work harder, using more energy and costing you more money. You’ll find lots of useful, cheap sealants and draughtproofing products at your local DIY store.
2. Use window blinds
Another way to keep heat in is to use window blinds. Closing blinds and curtains, when its dark outside, reduces heat loss and saves energy.
3. Keep heaters free from obstructions
Keep the area around your heaters clear. This will allow them to heat your workplace much more efficiently.
4. Set appropriate temperatures
Reducing your workplace’s temperature by 1°C can save you a chunk of cash (up to 8% of your heating costs) – and it’s unlikely that anyone will notice.
The appropriate temperature for your workplace depends on the activity you’re carrying out. In offices, where people don’t tend to move around much, a relatively high temperature is required, between 18°C and 20°C is common.
5. Only heat where needed
Where possible, turn off heating in unoccupied areas (such as meeting rooms and storage areas).
6. Only heat when needed
Check your timer controls. Too many organisations waste money by heating their premises when there is nobody on site – either in the morning before people arrive, but more commonly, at night when everyone has left.
7. Install heat reflectors
Installing heat reflectors to the walls behind radiators can improve their efficiency at relatively low cost.
8. Hot desk
If you have staff thinly spread across your business, why not try hot-desking and encourage staff to sit closer together? This will make your building easier to heat and allow you to switch off heating in areas that become unoccupied.
9. Review your dress code and uniforms
If your wear uniforms in your workplace, consider having a warmer winter uniform, if you haven’t already. Likewise, if you have a dress code, why not check to make sure it allows staff to dress appropriately for the colder weather – so that they don’t have to crank up the heating to stay warm.
10. Avoid using supplementary electric heaters
It can be very tempting to sit an electric heater next to your desk if you’re feeling the chill, but supplementary electric heaters are expensive to run and can send your meter into overdrive. Try the tips above first.
These simple tips can go some way to reduce the amount of energy your workplace uses this winter. If you want to make bigger changes, like upgrading your heating system and insulation, free support is available from Business Energy Scotland, a service funded by the Scottish Government.
Business Energy Scotland’s expert advice is free and impartial. They can assess your premises and tell you where you can save. They’ll also be able to help you apply for a Scottish Government interest-free loan – currently with cashback-grants of up to £30,000.
Find out more about the full range of energy-saving support available by calling 0808 808 2268 or visiting businessenergyscotland.org.
