Energy costs are one of the most easily managed in the workplace and often have the greatest potential for reduction. No- and low- cost improvements can reduce energy use by around 20%. Many organisations have noticed that energy costs continue to increase even though consumption has remained steady. Therefore, it is important that energy use is reduced wherever possible to mitigate the market trend of increasing costs.

The practical actions over the next few weeks will help you save money on your energy bills, and also reduce your CO2 emissions. Monitoring CO2 emissions is an important tool for carbon foot-printing and assessing the environmental performance of your business.

Comparing actual meter readings with the readings on the bill, which may be estimates, can highlight any discrepancies and overcharges.

Just as with water conservation, you will need to establish a baseline energy usage against which to measure your progress. The information you need to make these calculations can be obtained from your utility bills and should cover a full year. Ensure that you use the actual consumption and cost. You should also calculate your floor area, as energy use and emissions are best compared as consumption per m2.