Leaving lights on costs companies

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 07-02-2012

Companies could easily slash their electricity bills by ensuring lights and machines are switched off when their staff leave for the day, figures show.

Nearly half (46%) of all electricity usage by firms is run up outside traditional office hours of 8am to 6pm, data from thousands of smart meters has revealed.

Examples of power-hungry appliances left on overnight and at weekends included vending machines, lights, computers and car park lighting.

The cost to firms can total more than £1,000 a year, according to British Gas, which carried out the study.

Forward planning and sustainable office design could see businesses make significant savings on their bills.

British Gas Business’s Marc England said: "Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the UK. They tell us that reducing their costs is essential to competing in a challenging economy.

"However, many don’t understand their electricity costs, and how they could reduce them."

Copyright Press Association 2012