Knowing how to reduce energy consumption in a company is one of the main concerns of entrepreneurs, managers, etc. Costs involving electricity are the ones that weigh most on organizations, whether for lighting, ventilation or equipment operation.
The Brazilian business sector has already recorded amounts of up to 40% of expenses with the electricity bill alone. Given this scenario, energy saving has become a serious agenda within companies.
Alternatives such as solar energy and better use of environmental resources how lighting and ventilation began to be implemented. Other methods such as equipment status control and process standardization also contribute.
To understand in more detail how to apply the efficient energy reduction in your company, keep reading this article. In the next few lines we will show 10 tips that will help to reduce expenses without compromising energy efficiency.
How to reduce energy consumption in a company?
Renewable energy, greater use of natural light, efficiency of equipment and automation systems are just some of the tips for reducing consumption. The impacts of applying efficient measures in relation to electricity costs directly affect the pricing of services and products.
Did you know that Brazil has one of the most expensive tariffs in the world for electricity consumption in industries? In 2021, the value reached R$ 684.77 per megawatt, according to data from the Industry Portal.
According to information from Firjan, electricity represents more than 40% of production costs. The Electric Energy Commercialization Chamber (CCEE), in 2022, pointed out an increase of 4.7% on the free market. This is the sector responsible for the electrical supply of large companies and industries.
To help you, we are sharing 10 tips on how to reduce energy consumption in the company. Check them out below:
1 - Optimize the use of air conditioning
Air conditioning is considered by many a great ally in the fight against hot days, making the environment more pleasant. However, it can also be seen as a villain in the light bill if it is not used correctly.
Thus, some measures that can contribute to the reduction of energy effort involve keeping doors and windows closed. A very simple attitude that can have great impacts in terms of energy savings.
Another tip is to decrease the incidence of sunlight in an air-conditioned environment, so that the equipment does not need to increase its thermal load. An air-conditioning maintenance and overhaul is also required with an interval of at least six months.
2 - Make physical space improvements
Structure changes can be advantageous to reduce energy costs. However, the changes are not limited to changing incandescent lamps for LED lamps or walls and furniture in light tones.
An example of improvement is the replacement of control boxes, operated only by electricians, by intuitive breaker panels. These are composed of LEDs that indicate which switches are on and which are off.
In this way, with the proper identifications, you can monitor and set lighting only from places with movement of people. Energy savings can be achieved based on guidelines and everyone's participation.
3 - Enjoy the natural light
When the use of refrigeration equipment is not necessary, try to prioritize the use of natural light and ventilation. However, not all space will be favorable, so we must return to the previous tip and make improvements to the structure.
For example, air inlets need adequate outlets for better circulation. If the windows are big and the doors are small, consider knocking down some walls and unifying the areas.
Therefore, you will be contributing to the well-being of your employees, allowing contact with natural resources. In addition to also reducing energy consumption in the company and the expenses around it.
4 - Invest in energy from renewable sources
The term sustainability is gaining space and triggering the need to avoid waste, pollution and other aggressions directed at the environment. Thus, betting on renewable energy can solve many impasses related to electric energy.
The best example for investing in these clean sources is electricity provided by solar panels. Seen as a global trend, solar energy is growing considerably in the Brazilian scenario.
According to a publication from Canal Solar, it had a growth of 66.7% since the previous year. This resource has already surpassed the largest hydroelectric plant in the Americas and continues to become Brazil's second source of energy.
5 - Use equipments with "Energy consumption A" stamp
Equipment that has the Procel Seal (Electric Energy Conservation Program) from Inmetro, has a very low energy consumption. Stamps range from A to G, with A is the lowest energy consumption. Therefore, it is interesting to guide the purchasing team to purchase products with this seal only.
Another point of attention with equipment is its obsolescence. Older computers and peripherals require a greater energy effort compared to newer models.
Therefore, purchasing cheaper equipment because they are from a previous generation may seem like a good idea in the short term. However, in the long term this “savings” can be lost in relation to energy consumption.
6 - Monitor equipment efficiency
A process standardization and automation allow the monitoring of equipment activities. In this way, it is possible to identify which ones are spending more energy and the reasons, either because it is obsolete or because of a problem.
Access to this information facilitates a more assertive report for superiors to create energy reduction strategies.
For example, a computer may be experiencing a high consumption rate due to outdated technology. In that case, the best strategy is to exchange the equipment for a newer one.
7 - Perform equipment maintenance
The prior identification of machine problems ensures that corrective actions are carried out more quickly. In view of this, in addition to avoiding harmful crashes to performance and productivity, there will be energy savings.
With effective monitoring, it is also possible to prevent some failures from happening, keeping the machinery always up to date.
8 - Automate climate control system
The technology responsible for the automation of processes is called the Internet of Things. With it, you can connect various devices and control them remotely, such as the climate system.
But how efficient would this control be in reducing consumption? In fact, this path is quite simple when we talk about reducing costs with electricity consumption. Through a control panel you will turn off the air conditioning in environments that are not being used.
Let's assume that at the end of the day someone forgot to turn off the air conditioning in the office and no one noticed. By taking a quick look at the system, the manager or person in charge of the area will be able to close the operation without having to go to the sector.
9 - Invest in building automation systems
The concept of building automation is related to software, computers and some control devices. It is divided into two groups, unit supervision and control systems and security systems. The first is associated with the management of electrical installations, air conditioning, etc. and the second with fire protection.
Saving electricity is one of the main advantages of relying on automation. By investing in this resource, you will not only have control over the air conditioners, but over all the devices that allow application.
For example,with building automation systems it is possible to have control and monitor equipment, lighting and renewable energy microgenerators. In addition to remote access, the system can also be programmed to detect the absence of people in the environment and turn off the lights and climate control.
10 - Set goals to reduce energy consumption in the company
The reduction of electricity costs must be structured by leadership based on input from all sectors. The data makes it possible to identify which sectors are most wasting electricity in order to devise efficient strategies.
These strategic actions can be developed according to the expenses of each area from the goal building. We can take as an example a company that needs to save 35% of energy consumption in approximately four months.
The stipulated period allows real and achievable measures to be taken to reduce consumption. That way, there is time to find the best solutions like the one that Squair has to offer.
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With our platform you have control of all equipment and a plan to maintain energy efficiency using less consumption. The information offered through IoT sensors guarantees a detailed consumption analysis for more assertive decision-making.
Contact our team and find out what Squair can do for your company using non-invasive technology.