Step 1: Change Your Thinking
To become truly energy efficient, your organization may need to make some basic changes in the technologies you adopt, in the way your employees behave, and in the setting of internal policies or procedures. These changes need not be drastic or costly, but no one change by itself will deliver maximum savings. The greatest benefits will be achieved only when you have senior management support and you implement the following changes at the same time throughout your entire operation.
Technological Change
Technologies for building envelopes, equipment, energy control and other systems are constantly improving and becoming more efficient. Investing in new measures now could save you more in the long run.
Behavioural Change
Building occupants and employees use energy, and their habits have a great effect. You may want to explore training and awareness opportunities for your staff. There are opportunities to save energy dollars by influencing behaviours, improving knowledge and skills, and by offering rewards.
Organizational Change
Energy efficiency policies and procedures can help drive down energy costs. For example, you could set up an energy committee, include energy-reduction goals in job accountability forms, present cost-reduction progress reports in staff meetings, or regularly track utility costs through a bill-monitoring system in your accounting department.
Next: Step 2: Establish a baseline
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