Save Power Challenge: Ask the small business energy expert

Here is one very basic idea. The last person out the door switches offf the lights!.
Why have lights blazing all night when no one is there???

Idea of Sydney
Monday 18 October 2010 09:47AM

Hi idea,

You are absolutely correct. For many businesses the best way to ensure that lights go off at the end of the day is to have the lights programed for the core work hours. In our office for example, the lights automatically turn off at 7pm. There is an after hours switch for each zone for those people who need to work longer hours or for office cleaning.

David

David Trewin
Monday 18 October 2010 04:10pm

can you really save power by turning off the wall adaptor and should i pull out the plug as well

Pete of Nowra
Monday 18 October 2010 12:30PM

Hi Pete,

Yes, you can save power by turning the appliance off at the wall to eliminate ‘standby power’. As well, phone and other charges use power when they are plugged in but not charging the appliance. If the power switch is off you don’t have to pull the plug out. A good way to avoid stand by power is to install an ‘eco switch’ which automatically turns off all equipment. 

David

David Trewin
Monday 18 Oct 2010 04:05pm

hi there,

i have a cafe, how can i save power on the amount of coffee and food prep I do....

brad of melb
Monday 18 October 2010 2:17PM

Hi Brad,

We've supported lots of cafes as part of the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program.

Most cafes use a great deal of electricity on refrigeration, so this represents a good starting point. Also lighting represents a good opportunity to reduce costs - for example halogen downlights can be replaced with good quality LED alternatives and strip fluorescent can be replaced with the latest, more efficient versions. 

One of the businesses we've helped recently is Scramble Cafe in Enmore. They've replaced an older fridge/freezer with a more efficient unit. They will save $320 a year by installing this new unit and our Program paid for 50 per cent of the cost of purchase and installation. Scramble also replace halogen downlights with LED downlights. They also found that they are able to turn their deep fryer down outside the busiest periods. More info on cafe savings.

Please give us a call on 1300 361 967 if you'd like help with improving the energy efficiency of your business. 

David

David Trewin
Monday 18 Oct 2010 3:08pm

I work in a massive office and we have energy saving globes - but our committee is looking for other ways to help staff save power each day - thoughts?

dave of sydney
Monday 18 October 2010 2:18PM

Hi Dave,

Visit the Save Power website for tips - savepower.nsw.gov.au/business/

Some of the things you can do include: install sensor lights in offices and meeting rooms; ensure printers go into 'sleep mode' and turn them off out of hours; encourage all staff to turn off their computers and monitors; buy energy efficient equipment; put timers on hot water systems, including autoboils; encourage the business to get a NABERS Energy office rating (http://www.nabers.com.au/) which will tell you how energy efficient your office is and help identify ways to improve energy efficiency; and speak to building management about how to optimize air conditioning. 

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 04:19pm

The Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program - what is this - which businesses is it for?

eve
Monday 18 October 2010 2:19PM

Hi Eve,

The Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program provides energy assessments and an individual Energy Action Plan for small business. Small businesses are also eligible for matched funding of up to $5000 for energy improvements covering things like lighting, insulation, air conditioning, compressors, boilers, hot water systems and electric motors. Businesses who use up to about $20,000 in electricity or employ approximately 10 people are eligible for program support.

Please feel free to call 1300 361 967 if you would like to speak to someone about the Program.

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 02:52pm

Turning off the lights after you use the toilet.

noble hero
Monday 18 October 2010 2:20PM

Hi Noble Hero,

It is a good idea to turn lights off as you leave any room. No matter how long you think you are going to be away, turning off the light will save electricity and money. Sensor lights could be used in toilets because they automatically turn off lights when people leave the room. They are a great idea for business when you are relying on your staff and customers to turn off lights. 

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 02:52pm

how much money can we save a year if we take steps to save power? What rough estimates can you give us?

Mel
Monday 18 October 2010 2:22PM

Hi Mel,

The amount of saving will depend on the nature of the business. In the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program the average identified savings are $1,400 a year. Even changing your air conditioner by 1 degree (eg increasing it from 22 C to 23 C) will save up to 10 per cent of aircon energy costs.

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 03:59pm

how do u save power in your office - always best to learn by example - let us know!

Sonia
Monday 18 October 2010 2:22PM

Hi Sonia,

In offices most power is used running air conditioning as well as computers (and other office equipment) and lighting. Air conditioning is often controlled by the building owner or manager, so lights and computers are often the thing you can do most about.

In our office we've taken a number of simple actions – we've installed motion sensors in offices and meeting rooms, we have timers on the lights and our kitchen autoboil which automatically switches off after hours.  All the printers have been set up to go into a sleep mode when they are not being used and all our computer screens turn off after a short period of inactivity. We've also changed our fluorescent lights from T8s to T5s, which are 30 per cent more efficient.  We have LEDs downlights in meeting rooms. 

Many savings come from people 'doing the right thing' – to help people save energy our computers have desktop reminders to turn computers and monitors off at the end of the day and we have posters in kitchens and other communal areas.

Further ideas and resources can be downloaded from our Save Power website

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 03:28pm

hi David,

do you think we could save power if we worked from home more often instead of the office, interested to hear your thoughts on work places being more home from work friendly....

If i have a home office, how can i save on power?

Josh
Monday 18 October 2010 2:28PM

Hi Josh,

Home offices use the same types of energy as commercial offices.  However, at home you have total control over energy use. So, make sure your computer goes into a low power mode when not used for short period and, along with the monitor, is turned off at night. Also, install an eco switch to turn off all equipment in one go to avoid the use of 'standby' electricity.  Improve the efficiency of heating and cooling by insulating, draft proofing and using curtains and blinds. If you use an air conditioner, optimise the set point - eg increasing summer temperatures from 22 C to 23C.  Also, only cool or heat the area you are working in. 

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 04:28pm

How can we save on our lighting bills when we need to light the whole shop and light it brightly?

Pronto of Brisbane
Monday 18 October 2010 2:46PM

Hi Pronto,

Many energy efficient lights provide as good, if not better, quality of light.  Many LEDs for example have a broader colour spectrum.  A jeweller that we've worked with changed all of their display lights to LED because it saved energy and improved the display of the jewelery.

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 03:45pm

What would be your top 5 Energy Saving tips for a small retail outlet?

Menzies Marvels of Lane Cove
Monday 18 October 2010 3:26PM

Hi Menzies,

Thanks for your question.  For a small retailer the 5 top ideas would include:

• upgrade your lighting eg replace halogen downlights with LEDs
• improve the efficiency of your air conditioning. Make sure you 'draft proof' and close doors and windows. Also set the temperatures to the most efficient levels - eg increasng AC temperature from 22 C to 23 C in summer will reduce the amount of power your AC uses by 10 per cent. If you can't install an automatic door closer look into installing an 'air curtain' - a fan above the door that helps to trap cool air in the shop
• put a timer on your hotwater system, including autoboils
• ensure appliances and lights are turned off at the end of the day. Motion sensors can also ensure unused areas are not lit
• call 1300 361 967 and join the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program – we'll help you do an energy assessment on your business and provide up to $5,000 for energy efficiency improvements.

For more information see savepower.nsw.gov.au/business

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 03:41pm

I run a out of home internet listings company. How can I save electricity as this represents one of my biggest overheads with the variety of PC hardware I use?

Oliver of SYD
Monday 18 October 2010 3:26PM

Hi Oliver,

This is a specialist area and it is energy intensive. However, you could investigate areas like 'server virtualisation' and purchasing the most up to date, energy efficient equipment.

As you operate in an office, also try to save energy in other areas by installing efficient lights like LED downlights, increasing your air conditioning settings (eg from 22C to 23 C).

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 03:52pm

Hi David,

I just returned from Canada and the USA and found LED lighting to really be coming of age over there. It's good to see your mention of this technology in your previous responses.

My question is what moves towards using LEDs in schools and Government buildings is your Government taking?

Mal of Penrith
Monday 18 October 2010 4:13PM

Hi Mal,

The $20 million Schools Energy Efficiency Program is upgrading the lighting in NSW public high schools in recognition that lighting upgrades provide the single largest opportunity to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from schools. The NSW Government is committed to becoming carbon neutral in all its operations by 2020 and we have a Sustainability Policy which requires Government agencies to improve energy and water use and reduce waste. We are achieving this by efficiency upgrades, including lighting and installing water efficient fixtures.

David

David Trewin
Mon 18 Oct 10 04:35pm

In reply to Oliver, you could use software such as this: http://www.powersavesoftware.com to reduce power usage on PCs.

Mark of Sydney
Monday 18 October 2010 4:24PM