Energy and resource consumption at work
How you give feedback that actually leads to change
Energy and materials cost both money and environment. To reduce consumption you must first understand where it arises. Many workplaces are surprised by how much is used on things that do not directly create value — for example equipment on standby poorly insulated buildings or machines running idle.
§Measure before you act
A basic principle in energy work is that you cannot control what you do not measure. By recording consumption — for example via meters or by reading consumption over time — you get a starting point to improve from and can see whether changes actually work.
Typical energy items
- 01Heating and cooling of rooms
- 02Lighting
- 03Machines and production equipment
- 04Compressed air and ventilation
- 05IT equipment and equipment on standby
§Behaviour and maintenance are connected
Some energy consumption can be reduced by good behaviour: switching off, closing doors, avoiding idling. Other things require maintenance and technology: sealing leaks, cleaning filters, maintaining machines so they run efficiently. Both count, and often the cheap behaviour changes are the first to tackle.
§Resources beyond energy
Sustainability also involves water raw materials and consumables. Avoiding material waste through good planning reusing packaging and choosing durable equipment reduces both costs and environmental impact. Here employees' concrete knowledge of work processes is crucial.
When working systematically with consumption, you often discover that the biggest gains lie in simple changes that don't cost much—but that require you to have seen the consumption clearly.