As energy bills continue to rise at an alarming rate, it is not just households feeling the pinch. Businesses are also being squeezed and it can be harder to cut down on energy usage in the workplace. However, there are a few IT hacks that can help save money each month. Some things that you may have already considered include cutting down on printing, which not only saves energy but also reduces ink and paper usage.
With the rise of hybrid working, many of us have switched from desktop computers to laptops. This is great because laptops already use a lot less energy. However, when employees leave the office at the end of the day, they often don’t turn off their machines. If you’re on an expensive tariff, this could be costing as much as AUD 35 per year for every workstation. To save money, encourage your employees to power off computers every evening rather than leave them on standby.
You should also pay attention to other electronics in the office such as printers, chargers, and big screens. Even an unused phone or TV costs a little to keep on standby overnight. To save money, turn off these electronics when not in use.
There are also some tweaks you can make for daytime savings. Reduce the brightness of monitors and use energy-efficient lighting. We can advise on Wi-Fi-enabled systems that allow you to switch lights on and off remotely and even control power outlets via Wi-Fi. At the very least, encourage staff to turn off lights and devices when they’re not in use.
It’s worth taking a look around the office to check that radiators or heaters aren’t being blocked by furniture, that window seals are intact, and that you’re only heating or cooling to the temperature you need. Even a single degree of overheating can have a big impact on energy bills. Many workplaces are now monitoring energy usage remotely, so if you’d like any help checking that your workplace tech isn’t costing you more than it should, just get in touch.
In addition to these energy-saving tips, it’s important to note that 54% of web browsing now happens on smartphones. And while Google’s Chrome is the most popular browser for desktop, Apple’s Safari comes out as the most popular on smartphones. Keep this in mind as you consider your overall technology usage and spending.
In conclusion, there are many small IT hacks that can help save money on energy bills each month. Encourage employees to power off computers and other electronics when not in use, use energy-efficient lighting and monitor energy usage remotely. These small changes can add up to significant savings over time. So take a look around your office, and see where you can make changes to save money on your energy bills.
