Understanding how energy is used in your business is the first step to reducing costs.
Buildings and facilities
Lighting
Depending the type of facility, lighting can contribute to up to 40% of total electricity use in buildings.
An easy way to save on lighting is to switch to LEDs. Compared to halogens, LEDs use up to 75% less energy, generate less heat (reducing load on air conditioning), emit 90% less CO2, and last up to 25 times as long.
Find information on building design and lighting guides on the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
Laptops, office equipment and appliances
Computers and other electronic equipment in the office can contribute to up to 30% of your office's energy bill. They also contribute to heat build-up which can affect cooling.
Having timers on appliances or equipment can ensure you are only using electricity when you need it.
Check energy ratings to compare the energy efficiency of appliances. The higher the star rating, the more energy efficient the appliance. Models with a high star rating can cost a little more upfront but can save you more over the product’s lifetime. To compare running costs with the real cost of a product over its lifetime, go to the Energy Rating website or use the Energy Rating Calculator.
Heating and cooling
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can contribute up to 50% of your business' electricity bill.
You can maintain internal temperatures by:
- adding proper window coverings to prevent heat gain or loss
- sealing gaps in doors or windows to stop airflow.
You can also reduce costs by adjusting thermostat settings or upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system.
Building management system
A building management system can help you automatically control mechanical and electrical appliances, including managing start-up and run times.
Sector guides
Find sector guides for agriculture, buildings, construction, food and grocery stores, manufacturing, mining, retail, services, and transport on the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
More resources
CitySwitch - Free resources and support for office-based businesses to improve energy and waste efficiency.