FEATURE
THE EMISSIONS ISSUE
allow you to keep a secure track of invoices,
payslips, payment reminders and bank
account details, without having to print
anything or keep filing cabinets stuffed full of
old paper. If you are using a printer, switch
from a laser to an inkjet to save 96% on
energy emissions.
4
10 THINGS YOU CAN
DO TO REDUCE YOUR
ENERGY EMISSIONS
THESE PRACTICAL TIPS WILL HELP YOU CUT DOWN ON
YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND BOOST YOUR BUSINESS.
1
FIND AN INCENTIVE
If cutting your emissions just seems
like one extra thing to do, consider
how much cash it could save you. To work
out how much money you could save each
year by cutting down on the electricity, gas
and fuel you use, input what you currently
spend at EnergyCut.info/bills-calculator.
You’ll be able to see how much money you
could save by reducing your emissions by 10
to 20%. To keep track of the energy you use,
download the free Efergy Engage app, which
updates your energy usage and costs every
few seconds.
2
SWITCH OFF
In small
businesses,
standby power can account
for up to 10% of the
electricity bill, according to
Energy Australia.
16 GEMCELL.COM.AU JUN – JUL 2019
Switching off your Wi-Fi, computer and aircon
unit at the end of the day – or any time you’re
not using them – can dramatically reduce your
energy emissions. Set your computer to enter
standby mode after five minutes of inactivity,
and then to go in to sleep mode after 30
minutes of inactivity; this mode uses just 5% of
full power. Lowering the brightness on your
monitor will reduce energy usage from 34W to
20W. Even better, ditch the desktop computer;
laptops use 80% less power. To cut your
emissions even further, choose an energy
supplier with green credentials. Visit
greenelectricityguide.com.au for independent
reviews.
3
GO PAPERLESS
Running a paper-free business saves
on printer energy, cartridge
consumables and paper, as well as the costs
associated with these. Accounting and
invoice software such as Xero or Reckon
DRIVE
RIGHT
To keep
your vehicle as
fuel efficient as
possible, make
sure it’s well maintained. Making sure tyres
are at the correct pressure can improve fuel
efficiency by 4%. Getting your vehicle
serviced regularly to ensure everything is
running correctly can also improve fuel
efficiency by around another 4%.
Streamline your tool kit and only carry
what you really need. Every 50kg of weight in
a vehicle increases fuel consumption by about
2%. Speed is important too – driving at
110km/h means your vehicle can use up to
25% more fuel than it would at 90km/h. If
possible, organise your travel in zones so
you’re not driving back and forth between
jobs that are too far apart. Even better, share
rides to and from work with colleagues, when
possible, to reduce fuel. If you’re looking to
buy a new commercial vehicle or truck, visit
truckbuyersguide.com.au to find out which
makes and models are the most fuel efficient.
5
TRADE AND
BUY LOCAL
Not only does it
make good business sense
in terms of service and
safety to purchase
sustainable products from
reputable local
manufacturers, but it will also reduce your
company’s emissions. Using local suppliers
reduces emissions from shipping, manufacturing
and logistics, as well as supporting the Australian
industry and making sure clients get the best
products available.
6
OFFER SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
As an electrical contractor you’re in
the position to help other households
and businesses reduce their emissions by
choosing and installing sustainable products
and systems. You know that LED lights use
40% less power than fluorescent solutions and
80% less than incandescent bulbs, so pass that