Use low-energy lighting

Replace tungsten GLS lamps and T12 fluorescent tubes with much more energy efficient items such as T5 tubes or compact fluorescent or LED lamps. These could help you reduce the electricity you consume for lighting by up to 80%. Furthermore, some of the newer bulb types last more than eight times longer than tungsten GLS lamps, and, as they produce less heat, they will put less strain on the cooling required from your air conditioning system.

Implement a building management system (BEMS)

These systems control and monitor heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and can reduce total energy costs by 10% or more

Install water flow reducer

They can be installed in the hot and cold water feed lines to the tap. Water savings of 10 litres/min are possible

Investigate the possibility of rainwater harvesting

Rainwater can be used as boiler feed or cooling tower makeup. This can be a cost effective way of reducing water related costs such as reducing the size of drainage systems in new structures.

Reduce the line pressure in compressed air systems to the minimum required

1 % savings can be achieved with every 0.1 bar reduction in pressure for screw compressors.

Install variable frequency drives on all air handlers

that have to cope with a range of operating conditions – savings of up to 40 % of electricity are reported if the required air volume is 50 % for 50 % of the operation time.

Examine each process step to determine where wastes are

Examine each process step to determine where wastes are produced and to devise measures for waste prevention or reduction. Many wastes occur because of process inefficiency.

Investigate alternative uses for organic waste

Investigate alternative uses for organic waste that cannot be reduced or reused, for example compost or convert the waste to energy with a biogas plant.