Energy efficiency is often pushed off the agenda, as managers don’t fully understand the positive impact that smarter energy management can have on the bottom line. In fact, implementing energy-saving projects can reduce operating expenses and increase productivity.

There’s always something you can do to improve energy efficiency in your business, whether you’re ready to commit to a long-term strategy or just looking for some quick wins. Some measures don’t cost a thing and are quick to implement, while some require more consideration and investment.Whatever your approach, it’s a good idea to appoint an energy efficiency champion in your business to drive the message internally.

Energy Efficiency Funding

Bord Gáis Energy offers a range of initiatives, including funding for commercial customers towards the capital cost of energy-efficiency projects. The value of the financial support available for each project will be based on the total volume of energy savings in kilowatt-hours (kWh) made by each project.

In order to measure the success of the energy efficiency project, we help businesses verify the savings achieved. We provide detailed reports that outline the financial and energy benefits of each project, which helps businesses to quantify financial savings and highlights the financial benefits of energy efficiency at all levels of an organisation.

The types of energy-efficiency projects supported include lighting, boiler or chiller replacements, high-efficiency pumps and drives, building management systems, process improvements and renewable energy technologies. Through active participation in these initiatives, companies could expect to save up to 20%-30% off the capital cost of their energy efficiency project.

In Association with

Lighting

Many business managers don’t realise that the cost of lighting can equate to up to 40% of a business’s electricity costs. Using an LED lighting solution can help reduce these costs by as much as 70%. LED lighting offers 50,000 hour running life, which translates to virtually maintenance-free lighting. It also offers improved luminance levels when compared with fluorescent lighting.

Bord Gáis Energy offers a range of LED lighting solutions, as well as financing packages that spread the cost of the solution over time. This enables our customers to benefit from the energy savings from day one of the LED installation while preserving valuable capital for core business activities.

Energy Saving Tips

Instant savings: Turn down the building’s heating thermostat, especially when the building isn’t occupied. If you reduce the thermostat by one degree, you can save up to 10% off your heating bill.

Getting a little more serious: Fit thermostatic valves on all radiators.

Becoming fully committed: Consider a combined heat and power installation for your business.

Investing in the future: Installing motion sensors in conference rooms, toilets, break rooms and car parks can reduce lighting costs by up to 40% in these areas, where lights are generally left on all the time and are not always necessary.

For more advice or energy saving tips,visit the Bord Gáis Energy website, www.bordgaisenergy.ie/energy-efficiency, or email energyservices@bordgais.ie.

Nicky Doran (pictured) is Marketing & Energy Services Controller with Bord Gáis Energy