Environmental Sustainability – Energy Saving Checklist

Welcome to the The Manufacturer‘s Environmental Sustainability Resources Area – Energy Saving Checklist.

The Carbon Trust estimates that you could cut the energy bills in your manufacturing operations by as much as 20% just by implementing simple, inexpensive energy efficiency measures such as using variable-speed drives, fixing leaks in your compressed air systems, and cleaning your refrigeration condensers.

Here are some energy efficiency tips to get you started.

Make sure all lights are switched off rooms are empty and at the end of the day.
Tip: Install movement sensor lights to automate this process.
Schedule regular floor walks
Tip: Check for computers/lighting left on when not in use.
Fit energy-efficient light bulbs.
Tip: Replacing high wattage filament lamps or tungsten halogen lamps with compact fluorescent lamps or metal halide lamps will give energy savings of 65-75%.
Label light switches so that it is easy to see which switch controls which light.Schedule regular floor walk
Make the best use of natural light.
Tip: Ensure window blinds are open in daylight hours and make use of skylights.
Ensure security lighting time clocks change with the seasons.
Tip: Fitting a daylight sensor control can assist with this.

Insulate your building’s roof and external wall cavities and install double glazing where appropriate.
Schedule regular floor walks to check for drafts.
Check whether valve flanges are insulated. If they are not, install jackets
Tip: Payback periods can be as low as 12 months.
Use lids on process tanks, especially out of hours, to prevent losses through surface evaporation.

Install variable-speed drives. These can reduce running costs when used for fans and pumps.
Tip: Reduce a motor’s speed by 20% with a variable speed drive and its energy consumption could drop by as much as 50%.
Invest in high-efficiency motors.
Tip: These might qualify for tax relief through the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme and could also help you to reduce your energy consumption.
Maintain motor systems.
Tip: Lubricate them where appropriate, and check belt tightness and alignment.

Consider reducing the operating pressure of your compressed air.
Tip: A 1-bar reduction could save about 7% of the energy required for compression.
Switch compressors off when not in use.
Tip: A compressor installation that is on when there is no demand will consume 20-70% of its full load power.
Find and fix compressed air leaks.
Tip: Compressed air leaking through a single 3mm hole could cost you nearly £700 per year in energy costs.

Check your door seals.
Tip: A faulty one could increase the refrigeration unit’s power consumption by as much as 11%.
Clean refrigeration condensers.
Tip: Dirty condensers can increase costs by around 26%.

Insulate your hot water boiler and lag your pipes to save energy and prevent burst pipes in cold weather.
Check the insulation on hot and cold pipework, and process ovens, for damage. Repair where necessary.
Instigate a regular servicing and maintenance of boilers, particularly in the lead up to winter.
Check the thermostat regularly and set to the recommended temperature.
Tip: Offices should be set to 21°C in winter and 24°C in summer, and workshops should be set to 16-19°C.
Check your time switches regularly and ensure that the heating is off out of hours.

Sources: British Gas Business, Carbon Trust

  
Download the Carbon Trust’s – ‘Better Business Guide to Energy Saving’.