Reducing The Carbon Footprint Of Your Small Business

Reducing The Carbon Footprint Of Your Small Business

A carbon footprint is something all people leave to a greater or lesser extent. Put simply, a carbon footprint is the combined total of greenhouse gases an individual or organization is responsible for emitting. A carbon footprint can be made up of car use, electricity use, air travel, etc.

Reducing the carbon footprint by a small business can be done easily enough. It also makes good business sense to a small company, by way of cutting bills.
The simplest way for a small business to make a reduction is just by being more thoughtful, especially through switching things off when not in use. In an office, computers and other office equipment should be switched off as soon as work is finished for the day. Use standby mode for computers during the working day when there is a period of inactivity, such as a lunch break.

Heating Systems

A small business can reduce its carbon footprint by utilizing optimum start and stop controllers for its heating. These controllers can be used for all heating systems and are automatic. Consequently, problems such as heating being on too high will be resolved. A carbon footprint can also be reduced by using weather compensators, if an office's heating system revolves around radiators. Both the stop and start controllers and the weather compensators will adapt to weather conditions. To keep heat in leave windows and doors closed. Air conditioning systems should only really be switched on when no other way of reducing the heat is possible.

Lighting Controls

Lighting controls that have a sensor capability will help a small business control its carbon footprint. When a room is unoccupied the lights will switch off, for instance. Light sensors also help to reduce an office's footprint by dimming or turning off lights, when there is still enough light to see properly. For very small businesses an electrician should be able to fit a suitable system. Getting in the habit of turning off lights when leaving a room will also be beneficial, as are fitting energy saving light bulbs where practical.

Refrigeration

For businesses that use refrigeration, it is advisable to regularly check that everything is working correctly. If it's not, then refrigeration levels will be set at an inappropriate level for what is being stored. This will increase cost and the impact of the company's carbon footprint.

Suppliers

Switching to a renewable energy supplier won't just be a good environmental decision, but there shouldn't be any real difference in the cost of energy bills. Renewable energy companies need to attract new customers by setting competitive business electricity prices when competing against more traditional energy suppliers. Small businesses, that are already conscious of their carbon footprint, can complete the process by switching to a renewable energy supplier.

By: Graeme_K