Super-heated offices are costing UK firms millions of pounds in wasted energy, according to new guidelines from the Carbon Trust. The guidelines suggest turning down workplace heating by just one degree could save businesses and the public sector £35m a year.
The consultancy has launched two free guides addressing heating, ventilation and air conditioning and heating control systems, which it says could help businesses cut winter heating bills by up to 30 per cent.
According to the Carbon Trust, companies in the service sector spend three quarters of their energy bills on heating, while costs are rising as a result of climbing energy costs and a decades-long trend that has seen average indoor temperatures rise steadily.
However, the organisation maintains that relatively simple measures can deliver deep cuts in heating bills and significant carbon savings.
Most notably, it claims resetting timers and replacing outdated controls can cut annual heating costs by 15 per cent, while lowering heating levels by just one degree can similarly reduce fuel consumption by eight per cent.
"Many companies are in for an energy cost shock in the coming weeks as the temperature drops and heating bills rise," warned Richard Rugg, director of Carbon Trust Programmes. "[But you can] insulate yourself against rising costs by making sure your system is serviced and the controls are set correctly this autumn."
In addition to advising businesses to consider lowering heating levels, the two new guides also urge facilities managers to undertake regular servicing of heating equipment, train staff to ensure optimum temperatures are maintained, and remember to change heating controls when the clocks go back.
Posts
