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Saving Energy at Work

You’d be surprised at how even small changes around the workplace can make a difference to your energy bill - by as much as 20% or more*. And not only help reduce your overheads, but your carbon footprint too.

So, along with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, we’ve put together some practical ideas to help your business reduce its energy bill.

Things you can do right now:

  • Turn off computers and other equipment not in use.
  • Use timers and thermostats for lights, hot water, boiling water dispensers, air conditioners and heaters.
  • If you leave your computer unattended for long period, set your computer to standby after 10 minutes.

And before you’ve knocked off for the night…

  • Ask your cleaners to make sure they turn the lights off when they leave
  • Only keep lights on that are needed for safety and security
  • If there’s electrical equipment that’s not in use, switch it off

Maintenance Ideas:

  • Make sure commercial fridges, freezers and ovens don’t have leaky seals.
  • Don’t let ice build up in your fridge or freezer as this will make it very inefficient to run and may prevent it from maintaining safe temperatures for food storage.
  • Open window shades and clean windows to maximise natural light.
  • Have your appliances checked regularly to make sure they’re working efficiently.
  • Regularly clean equipment and replace filters.

Lighting Ideas:

Lighting is where businesses can save the most on their energy bill. In office-based businesses, up to 40% of lighting costs can be saved*. And if you work in an industrial building, that figure could rise to 75%, just by having the right type of lighting in the right place, and controlled by an efficient lighting control system.*

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s), especially the lights you use more than four hours a day.
  • Replace 36mm fluorescent tubes with 28mm triphosphor tubes - check first that they can be used in your lighting system.
  • Install motion-sensor light switches in places that aren’t used often.
  • Install light-sensitive switches for external and security lighting.
  • Fit timer switches to office equipment so they switch off at the end of the day.


Buying Equipment:

  • When buying new appliances such as fax machines, printers and fridges, look for the ENERGY STAR© trademark - this is awarded to the top 25% most energy efficient products in a category. Choosing the most efficient products will save you money in the longer term.

Spend less running your equipment:

  • Enable power management settings on computers and office equipment so they power down when they’re not in use.
  • Disconnect unused appliances or switch them off at the wall.


Heating and cooling ideas:

  • Set your heating and cooling system timers for business hours only, and consider turning them off one hour or so before the end of the working day.
  • Regularly maintain your air conditioning system - this can save up to 25% of the cost of once-a-year maintenance.*
  • Set your air-conditioning humidity control so it floats between 30% and 60% relative humidity.

Water Heating

Some of these tips could help you improve the efficiency of your hot water heating.

  • Wrap your hot water pipes and electric cylinder. (Wrapping an electric cylinder is cost-effective regardless of age).
  • Set your hot water cylinder thermostat to 60o C - enough to prevent the growth of legionella bacteria in the cylinder.
  • Fit flow restrictors to high-use hot water taps.
  • Even if your electric hot water cylinder is a MEPS-compliant (A Grade) type, cover it with a hot water cylinder wrap.


Spend less with the right insulation.

Well-insulated buildings need less energy to maintain comfortable working temperatures, as well as being healthier environments for your staff.

  • Insulate hot water pipes and valves
  • Install ceiling and underfloor insulation.(The recommended insulation levels for houses work for business premises too)
  • Use draught-proof external doors and windows


Spend less with Smart Savers.

As a Genesis Energy business customer, you get exclusive access to our Smart Savers offers - which offer you all kinds of energy-efficient products.

To see what’s on offer, find out more here.


Spend less - with a government-funded energy audit.

Your business might be eligible for a government grant to receive an energy audit. An audit will point out relevant energy-saving opportunities to improve your bottom line.

  • Design audit - if you’re setting up in a new premise, trialing new processes, or technology, a design audit will determine whether you’re being as energy efficient as possible. You could be eligible if your proposed building has a floor area larger than 1000 square metres.
  • Fleet audit - if your business is about getting from A to B, and uses more than 20 heavy vehicles or marine craft you could be eligible for a fleet audit to determine your transport needs and ensure the environmental impact is minimal.

For more information on the audit grants system, visit eecabusiness.govt.nz.


*These are indicative savings only. Assumptions and energy efficiency tips have been provided and are approved by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, visit eeca.govt.nz.
Source: EECA Business May 2010. Visit eecabusiness.govt.nz for more information.

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