Buildings
Try to make any buildings that your organisation owns as energy efficient as possible.
Obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will give you a rating of how energy efficient your building is and will form the basis of an understanding how to move forward and make improvements. An EPC rating of C or above is desirable however you should want to get your buildings to the highest rating (an A) possible. How to find an EPC.
Some of the measures you could consider to make your buildings more energy efficient include:
Low cost
- LED lights
- Motion censored lights
- Switching electrical devices off from standby
- Keep doors shut to prevent heat escaping
Medium cost
- Double or triple glazing on windows
- Water efficient appliances- ultra-low flush toilets, low-flush showers, dual flush toilets, etc
- Insulation- solid wall, cavity wall, floor, loft
High cost
- Install solar panels and battery storage
- Install a heat pump as your heating system
- Green roofing- consider putting green roofs on buildings where it is structurally appropriate. Find out more about green roofs from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Other environmental considerations for your buildings:
- Water fountains to refill reusable drinks containers
- Electric Vehicle charging points
- Planting in green spaces- eg, trees
- Recycling bins in your building
- Active travel infrastructure- eg, secure bike storage, changing rooms, lockers, etc.
- Switch to a green energy tariff provider