Energy and your business

While we all want to lower our energy consumption and reduce harmful atmospheric emissions, businesses are very aware of the need to play their part.  Energy, including transport is one of the major items in any businesses budget, so it makes sense to make better use of energy and there are many ways to go about this.  One of the first issues is becoming aware of energy use in your business.

Premises and where you operate from is a good start.  Architects, builders and planners are becoming increasingly proficient in the many new technologies to construct buildings that have low energy usage and use natural cooling and heating. If you're changing your premises or moving to new ones make energy considerations top of your plans. Whatever your business does, you can use energy better. Siting of new buildings can get optimal benefits from the sun, particularly in winter, these are part of what is known as passive solar building design. This also includes use of effective window placement, and spaces so that heat is trapped or released and where possible convection is used to circulate warm air. Addition of alternative energy sources such as solar water heating is also important in energy efficient building and retro-fitting.

Energy conscious interiors using appliances with high energy efficiency ratings are an important contributing factor is making the best use of energy. 

And then there's vehicle transport.  You can save money and play your part in reducing harmful emissions by making use of a renewable energy source and travelling less.

There are a range of opportunities, so seek advice as you make your changes; it's better in the long term to make better energy use a part of your business culture, because getting energy right will never be easier than when it's part of the objectives for new premises or alterations.

CAfE will be involved with building and rebuilding design possibilities and will offer a service to the building industry whereby heating, comfort and health will be worked into all stages of construction. See also Smart energy building.