ENERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY - 23.09.2020

Managing your energy consumption

Return on investment

Implementing energy-efficient building improvements can give a good return on investment, whilst delivering a positive impact on the environment. It can move you closer to your target carbon footprint, whilst reducing pollution and use of fewer non-renewable resources.

By using our Energy Management Policy you can describe how you will manage and control energy usage in your business and the methods you’ll use to find continuous improvements (see The next step ). In turn by having a written commitment it will be easier to stay on track and meet your goals.

Tip. Group this policy with other green policies and procedures to form your environmental management system. Having a structured set of policies will enable you to tick the box to say you have an environmental management system, e.g. when responding to contractor assessment questionnaires.

Getting started

There are two parts to our policy. The first is a “General statement” which begins by stating your commitment to responsibly managing energy consumption. Next it describes the measures that will be taken and explains that employees are expected to play a part in achieving the goals set.

The policy gives examples of how you will implement your commitment in a series of seven statements. These outline how you will: (1)  incorporate energy efficiency measures into all new and refurbished facilities; (2) implement cost-effective improvements into existing buildings; (3)  maintain plant and equipment to avoid energy wastage; (4) monitor and report on your energy consumption, identifying potential routes for improved efficiency; (5) pursue the use of renewable energy sources; (6) meet legal requirements; and (7) procure the lowest cost sources of energy which meet your criteria. Our introduction goes on to summarise that your corporate objective is “to manage our energy usage and resources as efficiently as possible so as to minimise waste” .

What’s next?

Part two contains a further list of bullet point notes outlining the action to be taken. The topic areas include fuel purchasing, carbon emissions, bench marking, energy audits, investment in energy saving measures and raising awareness amongst staff.

Tip. To understand your current energy consumption and identify where savings can be made, obtain detailed bills containing usage information. This will assist when undertaking the energy audits we’ve referred to in the policy.

Tip. Review your equipment purchasing arrangements to ensure that energy consumption is considered in the decision making process. When it’s time for major replacements of equipment or building refurbishments ensure that opportunities are taken to improve thermal standards, install energy-efficient control systems, consider new technologies and switch to more environmentally friendly fuels.

For a sample Energy Management Policy, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 15, issue 4.