Funeral Service Times August 2017 March 2019 | Seite 14

14 BUSINESS ADVICE
Proven ways for funeral
homes to save energy
Energy consultant Smarter Business shares its tips on how a funeral home can reduce its carbon footprint
O
perating a funeral home is an
energy-intensive undertaking. But
through behavioural and procedural
changes, your funeral home can reduce its
energy consumption by 10-20%.
According to a Harvard Business Review
article:
90% of executives feel significant
pressure to reduce their energy spend.
80% feel that fluctuating energy prices
are causing them quite a challenge.
WHY BECOME MORE ENERGY
EFFICIENT?
The cheapest energy is the energy that you
don’t use - becoming more energy efficient
means doing more by using less energy.
Implementing a few simple energy efficient
changes in your funeral home means less
environmental impact, and more money
saved.
The benefits of energy efficiency include:
Reduce the severity and speed of
climate change
Lessen your demand on the local
power grid
Decrease demand on natural resources
Improve your local air quality
Generate positive PR
Save money
QUICK WINS FOR FAST ENERGY
SAVING
The good news is that taking steps to save
energy can be simple, and won’t cost you
a cent.
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR
FAST ENERGY SAVING:
Turning down your thermostat by
one degree (without compromising
comfort, this can result in significant
savings). In fact, reducing heating
temperatures by just 1°c can cut fuel
consumption by 8%.
You can also lower your water heater
temperature.
Clean or replace your heating
and air conditioning system filters
monthly. Dirty filters block airflow,
which increases your energy bills
and shortens the lifespan of your
equipment.
A regularly serviced boiler can save as
much as 10% on annual heating costs.
MARCH 2019
Allow the sunshine in during winter to
help warm the building.
See if you can move energy-energy
intensive tasks to off-peak hours.
Replace all light bulbs with LED bulbs
- these use less energy and last far
longer than traditional halogen bulbs.
On that note, turn off lights when you
leave the room.
Turn off computers at the end of the
day and unplug all idle electronics:
printers, scanners, microwaves etc.
Get your refrigerator’s coils cleaned
each month.
Have your energy supplier install a
smart meter that will help you identify
spikes and patterns in your energy
usage to help you manage your energy
use more effectively.
LONGER TERM SAVINGS IDEAS:
Install a smart thermostat that will
manually set your thermostat to the
agreed levels and will turn down
automatically at times when your
building isn’t occupied.
Install ceiling fans to run alongside your
air conditioning and help circulate the
cooler air, allowing you to set your air
conditioner at a higher (and less energy
intensive) temperature.
Replace old appliances with energy-
efficient alternatives.
Replace single-pane windows
with double-paned ones for better
insulation.
Look into installing a power strip that
can shut down all electronics at once.
Install low-flow faucets with restrictors
and aerators.
CONDUCT A PROFESSIONAL
ENERGY AUDIT
The best way to learn about how
your funeral home can be more energy-
efficient is to have a professional energy
management company conduct an energy
audit. Your contractor will take a look at
your funeral home operations and suggest
both quick wins and longer-term solutions
for more efficient use of energy.
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOUR
ENERGY AUDIT
How much money do you spend on
energy every month?
Where are you wasting energy?
How long will it take for you to
receive a return on investment on
your implemented energy efficiency
measures?
What other benefits do energy saving
measures provide?
Another benefit of conducting a
professional energy audit is that your
contractor will also include an investigation
into your energy rates. They can compare
the market on your behalf to make sure that
you are getting the best energy deal for your
needs. If there’s room for improvement,
they can help you switch and save.
Source: These helpful suggestions are courtesy of
Smarter Business, a UK-based energy consultancy.
Its mission is to help all businesses achieve cost
savings, maximise efficiencies, and pursue their
goals through our comprehensive suite of services.
www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk