Power up to drive energy consumption down

Wasting energy equals wasting money. According to calculations from the Carbon Trust, for every £1 saved on energy costs, most UK businesses would have to make £10 worth of sales to generate the same £1 of profit – demonstrating that there is a financial as well as ethical advantage to reducing energy usage. Many companies are falling short through failing to implement strict processes to reduce consumption and then communicating its importance to the workforce. 

FMs can therefore play a key role in proactively managing this, as well as encouraging a change in behaviour throughout a business.

Direct responsibility for FMs

Naturally, the Facilities department is the first port of call in terms of taking responsibility for putting energy saving programmes in place. This means that FMs should have a direct responsibility for putting the following regular checks in place.

• The regular review of procurement processes to ensure that any machinery or  equipment that is ordered operates in the most energy efficient way.
• Making use of natural light by switching off light bulbs near windows and conducting regular walk-throughs of the premises to ensure this is being adhered to.
• Where Smart systems that control light and heating depend on occupancy, ensure these are fully functioning.
• Replacing and repairing malfunctioning equipment as faulty systems can use up more energy.
• Ensuring that FMs are able to remotely monitor any spikes in energy usage through use of software such as Business Management Suite (BMS), which can be deployed to analyse consumption levels.

Engaging the workforce

However, driving energy consumption savings successfully should be a collective effort that involves every member of the wider workforce and the way in which they are engaged in this represents the difference between success and failure.

Here are some examples of day-to-day actions that all staff should be adhering to:

• Ensuring machinery and computers are fully powered down or set to energy saving mode at the end of the working day
• Being absolutely certain that the last person to leave a building or department has switched off all lights and computing hardware such as photocopiers and printers
• If any other kitchen appliances are used, for example hot drink dispensers in break rooms, these should be switched off too.

Creating a sustainable business is not just about reducing carbon emissions, but also creating an efficient, self-sufficient wider workforce that understands the value of reducing energy consumption. This means that as well as playing a direct role, FMs can put in place successful engagement programmes with support from senior operational executives, who can then help disseminate its relevance and significance.