Don’t forget the clocks change on 26th March!

With lighter nights and warmer days coming, Energy Agency shares eight tips to take advantage of the seasonal changes and save energy. www.energyagency.org.uk

1. Reset heating and lighting timers

Change timers once the clocks change or you could be paying to heat and light your premises when staff are not there.

2. Change thermostats

Drop thermostats a degree. Your colleagues probably won’t notice but you could when the heating bill arrives.

3. ‘Switch-off’ lights when not needed

More daylight means not routinely reaching for light switches. A quick way to save is to encourage people to switch-off lights in rooms that are not being used, such as meeting rooms and cupboards.

4. Get your lighting free

Open blinds, declutter windowsills, and let the light shine in. Your energy bills will feel the difference. Natural daylight improves productivity and wellbeing too.

5. Relax dress codes

Can staff have freedom to dress appropriately for the warmer conditions? Short sleeves over suits could mean you don’t need the aircon as much.

6. Hot desk

Getting a temperature that keeps everyone happy can cause office unrest. It can crank up heating and aircon bills too. As most buildings have warmer areas (next to equipment) and cooler areas (near the doors), why not allow staff to sit where they feel most comfortable.

7. Upgrade lighting

If you have older lighting, upgrade to newer technologies, such as LEDs.

8. Get free advice and funding

If you are a small or medium-sized enterprise, arrange a free, impartial energy saving assessment from Business Energy Scotland www.businessenergyscotland.org

Your local advisor, Brogan Devlin, can also help you apply for an interest-free SME loan and cashback grant from the Scottish Government to help you make energy-saving changes.

E-mail brogan.devlin@ businessenergyscotland.org