Rising costs is one of the biggest pressures on a firm's profits
and saving energy can be one of the easiest ways to reduce your
office's overheads.

A survey by uSwitch showed that average energy costs as a
percentage of turnover went up a massive 70 per cent at the start
of this decade;
energy bills are also expected to rise by 10 per cent next
year. Reducing your energy consumption is a sure-fire way to
reduce your costs and build profit margins.

You can reduce your overall energy consumption by encouraging
staff to turn off their computers and monitors at night; this can
reduce your bill by up to 75 per cent. Opening blinds and utilising
natural light can also provide further savings; turning heating
down by a degree is also likely to save an additional eight per
cent.

Paper accounts for as much 60 per cent of an office's total
printing costs and can become a large business expense if not
adequately controlled; developing a green printing strategy will
help to reduce costs and improve your businesses' environmental
performance. By
implementing a managed print service you can also reduce
printing inefficiencies further.

You should encourage staff to use display screens and document
management software rather than relying on printed documentation;
using sustainable paper will also reduce global issues like
deforestation and destruction of natural habitats.

Implementing energy saving equipment will also allow you to
reduce energy bills further. You should also look to invest in
energy efficient equipment, such as PCs, printers, dishwashers,
microwaves and kettles, certified by Energy Star.

Monitoring your office's carbon
footprint is something which should become part of your annual
reporting process; this will allow you to develop an achievable
reduction target and streamline costs. By reducing your carbon
footprint you can develop your reputation with customers and
investors.

A Carbon
Trust Standard award can be used for marketing purposes,
allowing you to win new clients and attract investment. You can
also use carbon
offsetting to mitigate your footprint by investing in
environmental projects all over the world.

Setting up an environmental team will ensure that environmental
efficiency is at the centre of your organisational strategy. By
developing a green policy for your office, you will soon develop
efficiency improvements, lower costs and higher profitability,
while also doing your bit for the environment; if you don't have
one then now could be the time to start!

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