Teddington Businesses: Ideas on how to save energy for Climate week

Businesses in Hampton and Teddington can do their bit to save energy during Climate Week.  

Here are some top tips. 

- Encourage staff to switch off lights in unoccupied areas or where daylight is adequate. You could cut your lighting costs by as much as 15%, just by making sure you turn lights off in rooms and corridors that aren't being used.

- Make sure windows and skylights are clean and free from obstructions to make maximum use of daylight.

Turn off interior display lighting out of hours.

- Label switches clearly so that lights can easily be turned off in unwanted areas.

- Computer screens, photocopiers and printers should be turned off when not in use and base units turned off at the mains overnight.

- Check that doors and windows are not left open unnecessarily in winter.

- Check taps are not dripping or left running.

- Check room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves are on the correct settings.

The national Close the Door campaign is being backed by Richmond Council as part of its Greening Business programme.

Research shows that a closed door in a shop can save up to 50 per cent of the total energy used.

That equates up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per shop per year.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, Cabinet Member for Business, Community and Culture said: "An open door is a huge waste of energy for the store and can create varying temperatures that can cause inconvenience for both staff and customers."

Businesses requiring further information on 'going green' can sign up to Richmond's Greening Business programme to see if they're eligible for 12 hours of free advice and support to reduce their costs and improve environment their credentials.

More information can be found at: www.richmond.gov.uk/gogreen/gg_work.htm