Top 5 ways to reduce energy usage in commercial buildings
In the United Kingdom, commercial buildings are responsible for a significant portion of the country’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. As businesses strive to become more sustainable, reducing energy usage is a top priority. Not only does it help in lowering carbon footprints, but it also results in substantial cost savings. Here are the top five ways to reduce energy usage in commercial buildings, complete with real-world examples of businesses that have successfully implemented these strategies.
- LED Lighting Retrofit
How it Works: Switching from traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting to LED can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%.
Example: The Shard, London’s iconic skyscraper, switched to LED lighting and reported an immediate annual energy saving of around 40%.
- HVAC System Upgrades
How it Works: Upgrading to a more efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can result in energy savings of 20-40%.
Example: The British Land Company upgraded the HVAC systems across their commercial properties and reported a 35% reduction in energy usage, saving approximately £1.5 million annually.
- Smart Thermostats
How it Works: Smart thermostats allow for more precise control of heating and cooling systems, optimizing energy usage based on real-time data.
Example: Google’s UK offices implemented smart thermostats and reported a 15% reduction in heating and cooling costs, equating to savings of around £200,000 per year.
- Solar Panel Installation
How it Works: Solar panels can provide a renewable source of energy, reducing reliance on the grid, improving CO2 emissions and savings money.
Example: Ikea’s distribution centre in Peterborough installed solar panels that generate 33% of the building’s electricity, saving approximately £50,000 annually.
- Energy Audits and Monitoring
How it Works: Regular energy audits can identify areas for improvement, while continuous monitoring ensures that energy-saving measures are effective.
Example: Marks & Spencer conducted energy audits across their stores and implemented changes that resulted in a 25% reduction in energy costs, saving £22 million over three years.
And … implement EMMA AI?
EMMA AI is a cutting-edge tool designed to help businesses reduce their energy spend and carbon emissions. Our platform uses Artificial Intelligence to analyse your building’s energy consumption patterns and provide human-readable recommendations directly to on-site managers.
Reducing energy usage isn’t just a win for commercial business owners; it’s also a win for the planet. By implementing smart lighting systems, optimising HVAC, considering solar and energy audits, and engaging with solutions like EMMA AI, businesses of all sizes can achieve substantial savings. With potential cost reductions scaling way above £250,000 a year, adopting these energy-saving measures could be one of the best investments your business makes this year.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a step toward a more sustainable and profitable future today!
Want to see exactly how much you could save?
If you would like to see exactly how much your business could save across all your sites, then drop us your details below and a member of the team will be in touch to arrange a demo or a free evaluation of your site energy data.
