Energy Savings in The Hybrid Workplace

Effective tips to reduce your hybrid office's energy consumption this winter.

An ever-increasing number of companies are seeking methods to reduce their energy expenditure and far too often, the potential for real cost reduction is underestimated. However, by implementing sustainable and efficient measures, significant long-term reductions can be achieved. This article offers nine8 practical tips that any company can use to conserve energy.

Some things to know about energy savings in the flex office

Energy costs are relatively high for most companies, so the first step should be to find out which areas of your company use the most energy. This way, you can target these areas specifically and come up with suitable measures to reduce energy consumption. However, it's important to keep in mind that every company is different and will have different opportunities for savings. Usually, lighting offers the highest potential for savings - up to 70%, according to the German Energy Agency.

Companies use a lot of energy

For example, nearly three-fourths of all electricity in Germany is utilized by industries, services, and stores. For supermarkets, this number jumps to 85 percent! The good news? Even a small investment can save on energy costs quickly. Not only does this help your finances but also protects the environment.

9 Tips on how to save energy in the hybrid office environment

Are you a business owner struggling to save on energy costs? Check out these five tips:

1) Lighting

Light is a ubiquitous and essential resource, meaning it has great potential for cost-savings. This is true in both indoor and outdoor settings, such as offices, living rooms, changing rooms, warehouses or factories. If you continue using inefficient light bulbs, you are wasting money. But by changing to energy-saving lighting, you can make a significant dent in your utility bills.

You can save electricity by making the switch to more efficient LEDs. For almost every existing light bulb socket, there is an LED equivalent. Not only do old light sources generate a lot of heat, but the temperature in general improved in the rooms. Also, for areas or rooms that are less frequented should have motion detectors installed so that the lights will shut off when not needed to save on electricity.

Depending on the scope of the replacement, these measures can often save around 50 percent of the energy used for lighting.

2) Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system

Older ventilation and heating systems use a ton of power... In some cases, it is worth it to replace an old system with a new, more energy-efficient one. A solar thermal system, combined heat and power unit, is an example of a green alternative that makes sense economically as well as for the environment.

3) Turn off all electronics

We often waste electricity by leaving appliances on when we're not using them, like lights or ventilators. Though it may seem trivial, turning these devices off when we don't need them can save us money and help the environment. Remember: even if an appliance is in standby mode, it's still consuming electricity. Even though this amount is small, it can turn into sizeable savings over time. Also, using multiple socket strips with a timer helps reduce energy consumption further. Furthermore, transparency around competitive metering point operation allows you to monitor your progress and make changes where necessary.

4) Find and remove devices that consume a lot of power.

Machines that are powered electrically can use a great deal of energy. For electric machines with a power class up to 2 kW and an efficiency class of IE4, 5-6% less energy is consumed than for those in the IE1 class when producing the same power output. The smaller the machine, generally, the greater percentage savings there will be between classes.

It is essential to keep track of each machine's energy consumption, especially if they are older models. Luckily, this task is made simple with intelligent metering systems and the proper energy monitoring in place. All data related to consumption will be measured and presented in an easily digestible format. This provides a complete overview of all areas where energy is being expended, allowing you to identify target areas for potential savings.

5) Educate your employees about energy saving

Every employee should be taught how they can save electricity and heat in a more deliberate way. This includes turning off office lights, using air conditioning less, unplugging appliances after work hours, and keeping windows closed on hot days while the AC is still running. By knowing the answers to these questions, employees will be more conscientious of their energy consumption.

6) Flexible Work Arrangements

One way to save on energy costs is to give your employees more flexible work arrangements. If employees are able to work from home one or two days a week, that means fewer people in the office using heat and electricity and optimization.

7) Hybrid Office space

In order to succeed with flexible work arrangements, it can be important to implement a hybrid office space. This means that some employees have assigned desks in the office, while others can hot-desk or work from home as needed. This allows you to heat only the areas of the office that are being used, which can lead to big savings on your energy bill.

Managing a hybrid office is quite easy with the right solution! Contact us or learn more about PULT hybrid office solution here

8) Automated office

You can save even more energy by implementing an automated office. This means that lights, temperature, and other systems are controlled by sensors and timers. This ensures that the office is only using the amount of energy that is necessary, which can lead to significant savings.

9) Use Eco-Friendly Products

One way to save energy is to use eco-friendly products. This includes using energy-efficient light bulbs, recycled paper, and low-flow toilets. By using these products, you can save energy and help the environment at the same time.

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So, what can your company do to reduce its energy expenditure and save money? The answer is simple: start by looking at your energy bills and finding out where you are using the most energy. From there, take steps to retrofit your building with energy-efficient lighting and equipment, create a culture of conservation, and make sure that your employees are taking advantage of any flexible work arrangements you may have in place. You can also look into creating a hybrid office space that will allow you to cut down on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning costs. Whatever route you decide to take, remember that conserving energy is not only good for business, but it's also the environmentally responsible thing to do!

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