Business
We are committed to helping you find ways to save energy in your workplace.
In this section you will find a number of energy saving tips for your business, put together with the help of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). You can also take a look at our Energy and Cost Savings Brochure (PDF 549KB) and help reduce your workplace energy usage by 15%.
We all have a role to play
As New Zealand’s largest renewable electricity generator, we take our responsibilities to New Zealand and the environment very seriously.
Whatever business you’re in, you can save money, energy, and help protect the environment through careful energy management.
Energy saving tips for business
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Hot water
No cost options
- Hot water temperature Old cylinder thermostats can be inaccurate, so run a tap located close to the cylinder for 30 seconds and measure the water temperature. It should be 60°C in the cylinder and 55˚C at the tap.
- Pressure relief valve Regularly check there’s no excessive water overflow from the hot water pressure relief valve.
Low cost options- Dripping taps Repair any dripping hot water taps – they waste water and energy (you could save up to $70 per year).
- Insulating Always fit lagging on pipes. If your hot water cylinder is warm to touch, install a hot water cylinder wrap. Alternatively consider installing an ‘A’ grade hot water cylinder.
- Sizing your cylinder Choose the right sized hot water system to suit your business needs. If you’re closing your business for more than two weeks turn the hot water off.
- Water saving showerheads Increase the efficiency of your hot water. If you have showers in the workplace, install water saving showerheads.
- Hot water temperature Old cylinder thermostats can be inaccurate, so run a tap located close to the cylinder for 30 seconds and measure the water temperature. It should be 60°C in the cylinder and 55˚C at the tap.
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Insulation
Low cost options- Draughts Check all windows and doors for draughts, and seal up the draughts with weather stripping. Block unused openings in the walls or roof.
- Automatic doors Install automatic closers on doors that let in cold outside air (e.g. main entrance, reception, car park and delivery areas). This will help reduce heating and air conditioning costs.
- Shading Install shades and awnings to prevent overheating and sun glare.
Options requiring some investment- Insulation Install insulation in your roof to reduce heating and cooling requirements.
- Refurbishing When refurbishing look for ways to save energy. For example a “draught lobby” acts as a barrier between reception areas and the outside.
- Draughts Check all windows and doors for draughts, and seal up the draughts with weather stripping. Block unused openings in the walls or roof.
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Heating and air conditioning
Make sure your building is appropriately insulated to minimise your heating and cooling needs, and then consider the following options:No cost options- Make some space Clear space around heating and air conditioning equipment to increase efficiency and safety.
- Remove portable heaters Centrally heated offices with functioning sensors should not need them.
- Heat loss Reduce heat loss by closing windows and exterior doors. Check seals on window and door frames, and block unused openings in the walls or roof.
- Switch off Turn off any unnecessary lighting. This reduces heat load.
- Be selective Only heat spaces you are actually using. Shut doors and curtains to keep heat in, especially at night.
- Temperature control Thermostats should be set to 18°C and 22°C and checked regularly. Ask staff not to adjust them.
- Simultaneous heating and cooling Set air conditioning and heating controls so they don’t conflict between heating and cooling, as this is very inefficient.
- Sensors Avoid placing thermostats near heat sources like photocopiers, vending machines, refrigerators, machinery, lighting and sunlight.
Low cost options- Insulating pipes Insulate your heating and air conditioning pipes and ducts against heat loss and gain. Add roof insulation as well if necessary.
- Fans High ceilings increase heating and cooling needs. Use a fan to push warm air down in winter.
- Timers Use timers to turn heating and cooling off outside office hours.
- Replace Fans Mechanical ventilation and extraction fans consume a lot of energy, so look for ways to reduce airflow rates or purchase high-efficiency fans.
- Clean Filters Clean and replace air filters regularly.
- Maintenance Arrange regular maintenance checks of your air conditioning system.
Options requiring some investment- Waste heat Recover and reuse heat wasted through ventilation, catering, cleaning or industrial processes.
- Sensors Use a combined thermostat/timer/occupancy sensor to control heating and air conditioning in infrequently used areas, such as meeting or conference rooms.
- Make some space Clear space around heating and air conditioning equipment to increase efficiency and safety.
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Lighting
Lighting systems typically use around 35% of the energy in office buildings.No cost options- Switch off Turn off internal lighting after hours, especially energy intensive display lighting.
- Clean Regularly clean lights and light fittings. Dirt and dust can reduce light output significantly.
Low cost options- Sensors Install motion sensors on outside lights and lights in seldom-used areas, such as meeting rooms, bathrooms and storage rooms.
- Efficient bulbs Replace inefficient lamps with efficient options such as linear and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or T5s. They use less electricity and last longer.
- Separate lighting Divide large blocks of lighting into separate switches, so areas can be turned off when not needed.
- Remove Measure lighting levels and reduce lighting in overlit spaces. Make the most of natural light.
- Timer Use a timer for external and security lighting to automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
- Switch off Turn off internal lighting after hours, especially energy intensive display lighting.
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Kitchen
No cost options- Microwave Encourage staff to use the microwave rather than the stovetop or oven.
- Appliance care Make sure oven, fridge and freezer seals are kept clean, are properly fitted and are replaced when leaking air.
- Ventilation Ensure the top and back of refrigeration equipment is well ventilated.
- Temperature settings Set the fridge temperature to between 2°C and 4°C, and the freezer to -18°C.
- Defrost Defrosting the fridge/freezer twice a year helps to keep it running efficiently.
- Placement Don’t place your fridge/freezer next to the oven or in direct sunlight.
- Dishwasher Wait until the dishwasher is full before turning it on, and use the economy cycle.
- Cover food Keep food covered to reduce moisture build-up on the inside of the fridge.
- Microwave Encourage staff to use the microwave rather than the stovetop or oven.
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Computers and office equipment
No cost options- Switch off Switching off equipment, computers and screens is one of the quickest and easiest way to save energy and money.
- Standby Enable energy saving modes on your IT equipment (for example standby modes).
- Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS maintains constant power to equipment if the electricity supply fails. Check your UPS is sized accurately - excess capacity increases running costs.
- Efficient appliances When replacing appliances purchase efficient models, and ask your retailer to recycle your old appliance.
- Switch off Switching off equipment, computers and screens is one of the quickest and easiest way to save energy and money.
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Industrial
- Heat Generating heat generally consumes the most electricity in modern industrial processes. Use timers, thermostats, and more efficient equipment to save energy.
- Overheating Set appropriate operating temperatures for part load operations to avoid long ‘soak’ or overheating.
- Upgrading The cost of buying new energy efficient equipment can generally be recovered through reduced operating costs, increased productivity, long-lasting quality products and fewer rejected end-products.
Look at the overall cost effectiveness of each industrial process and seek professional advice before you install new equipment. - Heat Generating heat generally consumes the most electricity in modern industrial processes. Use timers, thermostats, and more efficient equipment to save energy.
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Motors
No cost options- Rating Make sure the motor is the correct rating and duty for the task.
- Cleaning Keep the motor clean and ensure airflow is free of blockages to allow good ventilation.
- Filters Clean all filters on the motor or driver equipment regularly, especially in food production or spray shops.
- Phase balancing Motor efficiency can be impaired if one phase of the supply suffers a voltage drop due to a badly balanced load.
Low cost options- Controls Install timers, level sensors, material sensors or other controls for automatic operation and shut off.
- Sizing Replace oversized motors with correctly sized energy efficient motors. Motors consume the least amount of energy when they operate at their highest efficiency.
- Drive type It may be possible to change the drive type to reduce energy usage. Altering gear ratios and lubrication type may also be beneficial.
- Drive controls Replace throttle controls with a solid-state variable system drive control and fan discharges with inlet vane controls.
- Maintenance Regularly maintain your motors by checking belt and chain tensions as well as the motor itself.
- Idle Time Reduce motor idle time by identifying motors running but not in production. A plant walk-through after production hours can determine which motors are running unnecessarily.
Options requiring some investment- Efficient models When choosing a new motor, select a high efficiency model. Additional costs are quickly recovered through energy savings.
- Distance and diameter Reducing the distance between the motor and the application can reduce load. Increasing duct sizes or pipe diameters and reducing the number of bends and restrictions will also reduce motor loads and power usage.
- Efficient loads The bulk of savings available from motor drives is achieved by better matching the drive to the load (usually by using a variable speed drive) and by improving the efficiency of the driven load.
- Rating Make sure the motor is the correct rating and duty for the task.
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Monitoring your energy usage
Identify when your business uses the most energy, and what the costs are. Use this information to help make decisions around energy reduction.- Meter checks Regularly check your meter, keeping records to see where peaks in usage are. Waiting for your next energy bill may be too late to avoid unnecessary costs.
- Ask your staff Monitor all staff comments about comfort levels relating to heating, air conditioning and hot water. Increased feedback can point to a faulty system.
- Staff awareness Run energy awareness campaigns to encourage your staff to switch off equipment when not in use. Involve them in all energy saving measures and listen to their suggestions – they may have a great idea!
- Monitor and manage Walk around your premises each month to identify problems and check that energy saving measures are being implemented. Look for improvements.
- Meter checks Regularly check your meter, keeping records to see where peaks in usage are. Waiting for your next energy bill may be too late to avoid unnecessary costs.
We're here to help
Meridian is committed to helping your business save energy and money. If you’d like to receive more information about energy savings for your business, please contact our dedicated Business Team.
Phone: 0800 496 777
Fax: 0800 496 222
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 7:30am and 5:30pm.
Email: business@meridianenergy.co.nz
