As businesses expand and technology improves, our need for energy consumption rises.
From the smallest single-member household to oil giants such as Saudi Aramco, BP, and ExxonMobil – the world is using more energy and steadily contributing to global warming.
This problem can no longer be ignored and the time to take responsibility is now. While an average household should absolutely take steps to reduce their energy waste, their effort is usually just a small drop in a very vast ocean.
Those whose contributions can have a resounding effect on the entire world are large corporations and industry leaders.
Reducing energy waste isn’t just a matter of social responsibility either – it’s a profitable business decision.
The world is moving towards renewable energy sources and people don’t want to work with businesses that aren’t stepping up and helping the world become a cleaner, more eco-friendly place.
But how can you change your business model to actually reduce your energy waste without losing a lot of money? There are plenty of ways to do it, and they’re all actually profitable for you.
Switch to LED Lighting
LED lights consume about 75% less energy than halogen bulbs. They last longer and cost less than either incandescent bulbs or CFL bulbs.
A LED light’s typical lifespan is about 25,000 hours, while a CFL lasts around 8,000 hours.
Why wouldn’t you want something that is so clearly more energy-efficient and can reduce your costs so significantly?
And it really doesn’t matter which industry your business is a part of – from hospitals to factories and construction companies, everyone benefits from installing LEDs because you get both quality and sustainability, and all of it at a cheaper price. There are no downsides to this.
Improve Automation
Equipment, lights, and appliances don’t need to be turned on if they aren’t going to be used.
If you implement automation in your workplace, this could lead to a significant cost and energy reduction – something as simple as a sensor light can reduce electricity expenditure.
You should also encourage your employees to turn off machinery and equipment once it’s no longer needed for the day.
Invest in quality equipment and make sure to maintain it
Technology is constantly being improved, and companies need to invest in better equipment instead of relying on old, broken down parts and machines.
Working with rundown machinery might sound cheaper, but it’s going to be a huge drain on your resources because it will keep costing more manpower and energy to keep it in a working condition.
This is especially important for companies in the oil and construction industry, which are frequent targets of environmental activists.
Investing in durable oilfield equipment and proper construction vehicles and machinery can help increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption by a significant margin.
When combined with other energy-saving measures, it will lessen your impact on the environment.
Control the Temperature
Heating and cooling a building can take up anywhere between 20%-40% of a building’s energy expenditure.
To reduce the costs, make sure that the thermostat keeps the temperature around 25 degrees Celsius (around 75 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is a comfortable working temperature for most people, and the heating and cooling systems don’t need to work too hard to maintain it.
Insulate Everything
Bad insulation leads to leaks, and in turn, energy loss. Everything from piping and walls to machinery and building roofs needs to be well-insulated to prevent a drain on your resources.
While it can cost a lot of money to fix bad insulation in the beginning, the investment will pay off fairly quickly because you’ll be saving a ton in the long run.
Consider Solar Energy
This is aimed at every industry, but businesses in the construction industry could actually benefit the most from it.
In construction, a lot of non-renewable resources are used. Things like fossil fuels, minerals, metals, stone, and clay.
While businesses have no choice about certain resources, one thing they could consider is renewable energy.
If you want to make a good investment, then consider near future solar panels because are set to take over the world.
Not only can they help you cut down on electricity costs, but they are completely environmentally friendly.
Communicate With Your Employees
You’re not in this alone. Energy-saving measures should be respected throughout your whole company, regardless of what kind of business you’re doing.
Be open and honest with your employees. Tell them why you want to implement energy-saving measures and what kind of a positive impact it will have on the whole company, themselves included.
This will help every employee be aware of their own carbon footprint and they’ll start taking steps to reduce it.
Being environmentally friendly can actually be one of the most profitable decisions you’ve ever made.
You’ll reduce costs, contribute to the environment, and improve your public image in a world where consumers are all growing more environmentally conscious themselves.
