Help to cut carbon and costs

Energy efficiency is increasingly sitting at the top of people’s agendas. Clearly, if organisations use less power, they will spend less money on energy bills. Not only that but by reducing their carbon emissions and improving their environmental performance, they will fare better in the government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) programme which came into force in April 2010.
    
The CRC is a mandatory scheme that targets carbon dioxide emissions from large public and private sector organisations, which use more than 6,000MWh of electricity per year. The CRC has significant financial and reputational implications for organisations so it is vital that they understand fully how it will impact them and how they can profit from early action to reduce the cost of compliance and minimise risk. Until 2013, organisations that are part of the scheme must buy carbon allowances to cover their emissions at a cost of £12/tCO2, after this the price will float and trading will begin in earnest. This money will be paid back to businesses in October of each year, but how much is dependent on how high they are ranked in the CRC league table. In 2011 the league table is determined solely on the basis of whether the organisation has taken ‘early action’ in advance of the CRC.
    
The good news is that implementing a few simple techniques can help to reduce the amount of energy consumed, and in doing so release funding. Costs can be reduced significantly using simple energy saving procedures, such as setting appropriate temperatures and ensuring that heating equipment and controls are operated and managed correctly.
    
So, with the start of the Carbon Reduction Commitment around and the need to maximise any opportunity to save energy and cost, what actions can you take to make energy efficiency savings?

Top tips for energy efficiency

• Place heat emitting equipment such as printers and photocopiers in a naturally ventilated area
• Switch off all IT equipment when not in use and enable power down modes to reduce energy consumption and heat production
• Switch off monitors – this will save 60 per cent on the energy used by a PC during break times when it’s not in use
• Consider renewable energy technologies to generate power and heat
• Do not switch on catering equipment too soon. Label equipment with its pre-heat time and educate staff to turn on only when needed
• Switch off lighting when not in use – place ‘switch off’ stickers above light switches and put posters up
• Purchase equipment with running costs in mind. Equipment that automatically switches off (such as pan sensors on hobs or lighting) can save as much as 25 per cent on energy costs
• Switch water coolers and vending machines off at nights and weekends
• Set default printing to double sided where possible and try to print in batches to allow the machine time on standby
• Involve staff by developing an awareness campaign to encourage and incentivise energy efficiency
• Check your heating system operating hours meet the times when heating, ventilation and cooling are required, as needs vary throughout the day and at different times of the year. Also check that building energy management systems are operating properly.

Surveying in North London
Woodhouse College, a sixth-form college in Finchley, was able to make substantial savings by taking a few very simple steps. Based around an 18th century manor house in Finchley, North London, Woodhouse College is a sixth-form college with around 80 staff and 1,000 pupils. The original building was extended in the 1920s and 30s, with further areas added in 1997 and 2000.
    
Woodhouse College’s annual energy bill is around £50,000, making it one of the largest expenses after staff salaries. In addition, with limited budgets, the College could not afford the annual energy bill increases of 20-30 per cent it was facing. Carol Kirkland, the director of academic and business operations, had a personal interest in the environment and so called in the Carbon Trust, with the dual purpose of reducing bills and improving the College’s environmental performance.
    
As a first step, the Carbon Trust carried out a free detailed energy survey to see what could be achieved based on low cost solutions. The resulting survey produced a range of recommendations for how the college could reduce energy consumption by almost 17 per cent, saving 36.5 tonnes of carbon a year. The advice ranged from installing more energy efficient light bulbs, to developing an energy efficiency awareness campaign for staff and students.
    
18 months on and many of the recommendations have been implemented. Pipes and valves have been insulated, light bulbs are being replaced with energy efficient bulbs and computers turn off automatically. The College has even installed more light circuits giving greater control over the lighting of different areas, so that better use can be made of natural light. An ongoing energy efficiency awareness programme has also been successfully implemented, which has led to direct changes in the way students and staff use energy.
    
Woodhouse College is now seeing the results. Its energy consumption is falling month by month, with a six per cent reduction over a year, saving 13 tonnes of carbon. This has been achieved despite an increase in student numbers, which means the College is actually experiencing greater use of its classrooms.
    
The Carbon Trust offers free on-site surveys to schools and other organisations with an energy bill of over £50,000 per annum. During the survey a carbon expert will visit your premises, and work with you to develop an action plan to reduce your energy use. Similarly, smaller organisations spending under £50,000 annually on energy can access free, practical advice from the Carbon Trust website and advice line. Ultimately, energy efficiency savings cannot afford to be ignored.

For more information
Tel: 0800 085 2005
Web: www.carbontrust.co.uk