cut energy costs: 76 ways to boost efficiency in your workplace

 Quick measures

(< 4 weeks)

Short-term measures

(< 2 months)

Medium-term measures

 (several months)

HEATING AND COOLING

• Lower room temperatures (e.g., 19°C)

• Hydronically balance heating systems

• Decommission unnecessary boiler systems

• Turn down when not in use

• Replace old/inefficient heating pumps with high-efficiency pumps

• Shutdown local heating system in summer 

• Optimize the heating characteristic/heating curve

• Define heating areas in large halls and rooms

• Use ceiling fans for air circulation

• Ventilate with windows fully open instead of tilted

• Insulate window surfaces, pipes, and fittings

• User programmable heating thermostats

• Reduce supply temperature

• Automatically regulate operating hours

• Replace uncontrolled circulating pumps

• Automatically lower temperature on weekends and at night

• Automatically open and close high-speed doors

• Insulate waste heat generating plants 

• Automatically lower shutters and slats at night

• Re-insulate pipelines, window, door, and gate seals

• Maintain and clean boiler systems

• Reduce hot water supply (e.g., temporarily switch off flow heaters; only provide cold water)

• Regularly ventilate radiator

• Use electronic thermostat valves

• Clear radiators and remove covers

• Clean external air conditioning units

• Reduce speed of room air conditioning

• Adjust temperature in server and clean rooms

• Reduce air exchange rate

• Insulate fittings and flanges

• Insulate condensate tanks

 COMPRESSED AIR

• Lower the pressure level

• Maintenance for generation, e.g., filters, clamps, overrun sensors

• Substitute pneumatic tools with technical/electromechanical alternatives

• Adjust the pressure band

• Monitor leakage

• Adjust compressor regulation and control

• Turn down compressors on weekends and at night

• Optimize air intake for air compressors

• Compressor heat recovery

• Use fewer hand-held fans

• Prevent hoses from tangling

• Repair damaged hoses

• Check for leaks (e.g., air duct accessories, tools, hose points, couplings, shut-off valves, filters, aged hoses, worn gaskets)

• Ultrasonic leak detection

• Replace old components (compressed air guns, blow-off valves)

LIGHTING

•  Reduce illuminance

• Demand-oriented control (e.g., motion/presence detector)

• Lamps protected against internal contamination (water, dust) 

• Unscrew unnecessary lamps 

• Install LED lighting systems 

• Switch off light when not in use

•  Regularly clean lamps

OFFICE/IT/ADMINISTRATION

• Switch off electronic devices when not in use (switchable power strips, timers)

• No standby operation

• Use only one monitor!

• Lower screen brightness

MOBILITY

• Avoid business trips and use online/remote tools

• Use public transport if possible

• Reduce speed while driving

ADAPTING PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

• Establish energy task force

• Regularly assign energy scouts (e.g., trainees) to conduct internal energy audits

• Continuously monitor energy consumption and energy-saving measures

• Launch idea competition

• Load profile management for gas

• Implement energy controlling or energy management

• Define targets for energy efficiency and natural gas substitution

• Load profile management for electricity

• Monitoring and regular communication

• Manually shut-down high-speed steam generators and other non-energy-efficient equipment

• Employees incentives

• Optimize the mode of operation (e.g. of tunnel ovens or continuous ovens)

• Motivate and spread awareness (e.g., information events, competitions, internal campaigns/communication)

• Test device parts

• Assess the necessity of certain systems

• Reduce operating times