Monday, 17 December 2007
100 Days Come to a Close
…….but that’s no reason to stop saving energy.
Welcome to RYB Konsult’s final 100 day campaign blog. The campaign has led to a number of energy efficient policies and practices being set. These policies will now remain and continue to save RYB Konsult energy and money.
November and December have been busy months for RYB Konsult which has meant policy making has been tough, yet the company are still saving energy as compared to last year due to the policies that the campaign has set. The new LCD screens and increased number of lap tops have decreased electricity consumption reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. The campaign has focused on electrical consumption and ways to reduce this consumption and the following measures have been installed;
- 30 new LCD screens
- Increased zoned lighting
- Carbon Officers spot checking LCD screens are switched off standby
- All printers are switched off my not in use
- All computers are switched off when not in use
The campaign has also adopted many other policies in an aim to reduce carbon emissions
including;
- Blinds to reduce solar gains in the summer and limit cooling
- Openable windows to allow cross-ventilation to reduce mechanical cooling
- Recycling bins placed in every team area
- Recycled paper pads to replace workpads
- Limited lift use at various stages
- Appropriate clothing to be worn to the office to limit heating/cooling.
- Introduced an ‘energy saving week’ which will now be an annual event.
RYB Konsult’s campaign has also focused on its Energy and Environmental policy, it is hoped these policies will be written in and adopted as to improve the working conditions for the employees the company.
We hope this blog has brought ideas and has been a useful tool for other companies in their own efforts during the campaign. Finally RYB Konsult would like to thank CIBSE for it’s organisation of the event and the mugs!!
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
ENERGY SAVING WEEK - RESULTS
Monday 5th – Friday 9th November, RYB Konsult launched its in house Energy Saving Week. The week promoted a number of measures that focused on staff’s behaviour towards energy efficiency and energy consumption within the office.
The main focus involved employees behaviour around their work stations and to encourage a routine of switching off PCs, monitors and all forms of lighting. Carbon officers enforced and inspected these behavioural changes throughout the week. By switching off monitors and PCs overnight instead of leaving them on standby would save approximately 60W per PC station, saving 0.04 kgCO2, over a year this would amount to 14.6 kgCO2 per station. It is hoped employees will now ‘switch off’ as part of their daily routine.
A lift ban was also imposed throughout the week, which encouraged staff to use two flights of stairs. Not only is energy being saved but also encouraging exercise, approximately 280 extra calories are burnt per person for walking up and down the stairs 4 times a day.
Before the week began the Carbon Team discussed which non-essential lighting could be switched off for the week. The lighting above the bookshelves and printers were deemed unnecessary, as the office floor light levels were adequate as to not affect employee’s daily work. By switching these 12 40W lamps off for the week saved approximately 1.92 kWh and 0.81kgCO2 respectively. All other lighting was switched off when not in use e.g. overnight. Back-up photocopiers and printers were also switched off for the week and it has been decided to keep them switched off until they are required.
Throughout the week employees were encouraged to dress appropriately according to the weather as heating and cooling fan coil units had been switched off. This allowed for increased use of natural ventilation and greater use of the blinds in the evenings to stop heat loss from the building.
Initial results show that the Energy Saving Week reduced the electricity demand by 15 % against previous meter readings saving 78 kgCO2.
This week RYB Konsult is focusing on ‘Real Cup and Mug week’, in an aim to reduce the amount of plastic cups used.
The main focus involved employees behaviour around their work stations and to encourage a routine of switching off PCs, monitors and all forms of lighting. Carbon officers enforced and inspected these behavioural changes throughout the week. By switching off monitors and PCs overnight instead of leaving them on standby would save approximately 60W per PC station, saving 0.04 kgCO2, over a year this would amount to 14.6 kgCO2 per station. It is hoped employees will now ‘switch off’ as part of their daily routine.
A lift ban was also imposed throughout the week, which encouraged staff to use two flights of stairs. Not only is energy being saved but also encouraging exercise, approximately 280 extra calories are burnt per person for walking up and down the stairs 4 times a day.
Before the week began the Carbon Team discussed which non-essential lighting could be switched off for the week. The lighting above the bookshelves and printers were deemed unnecessary, as the office floor light levels were adequate as to not affect employee’s daily work. By switching these 12 40W lamps off for the week saved approximately 1.92 kWh and 0.81kgCO2 respectively. All other lighting was switched off when not in use e.g. overnight. Back-up photocopiers and printers were also switched off for the week and it has been decided to keep them switched off until they are required.
Throughout the week employees were encouraged to dress appropriately according to the weather as heating and cooling fan coil units had been switched off. This allowed for increased use of natural ventilation and greater use of the blinds in the evenings to stop heat loss from the building.
Initial results show that the Energy Saving Week reduced the electricity demand by 15 % against previous meter readings saving 78 kgCO2.
This week RYB Konsult is focusing on ‘Real Cup and Mug week’, in an aim to reduce the amount of plastic cups used.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Energy Saving Week 5th - 9th November
This week (5th – 9th) November sees the launch of the internal Energy Saving Week. The week encourages all members of staff to consider behavioural energy efficiency measures within the office.
The Carbon Team held a meeting to discuss various measures that could be installed and the following measures have been implemented;
- Lift ban; Employees are being encouraged to take the stairs as appropriate. This stops electricity being used to power the motors and enhance fitness levels.
Switch off computers; Throughout the week Carbon Officers shall be conducting spot checks on their team’s computers to make sure they are switched off when not in use.
- Switch off monitors; All employees to be responsible for switching off their monitors when not in use.
- Switch off non-essential lighting; Lighting that has been deemed non-necessary will be switched off during working hours, all lighting barring security lighting shall be switched off when office is not in use.
- No heating/cooling to be switched on; Staff are being encouraged to wear appropriate dress in line with weather forecasts.
- All unnecessary printers to be switched off; Officer Managers have identified which printers are not in use and have been switched off.
These few policies should cut the electrical demand for the office and encourage an energy efficient behavioural routine amongst the staff.
RYB Konsult have also used ‘Blackle’ as the main search energy on the companies extranet, this function saves more Watts than the normal ‘Google’ screen*.
Results of the hopeful energy saved during the week shall be concluded in the next blog.
* there are other search engines provided on the extranet.
The Carbon Team held a meeting to discuss various measures that could be installed and the following measures have been implemented;
- Lift ban; Employees are being encouraged to take the stairs as appropriate. This stops electricity being used to power the motors and enhance fitness levels.
Switch off computers; Throughout the week Carbon Officers shall be conducting spot checks on their team’s computers to make sure they are switched off when not in use.
- Switch off monitors; All employees to be responsible for switching off their monitors when not in use.
- Switch off non-essential lighting; Lighting that has been deemed non-necessary will be switched off during working hours, all lighting barring security lighting shall be switched off when office is not in use.
- No heating/cooling to be switched on; Staff are being encouraged to wear appropriate dress in line with weather forecasts.
- All unnecessary printers to be switched off; Officer Managers have identified which printers are not in use and have been switched off.
These few policies should cut the electrical demand for the office and encourage an energy efficient behavioural routine amongst the staff.
RYB Konsult have also used ‘Blackle’ as the main search energy on the companies extranet, this function saves more Watts than the normal ‘Google’ screen*.
Results of the hopeful energy saved during the week shall be concluded in the next blog.
* there are other search engines provided on the extranet.
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Energy Policy Week
Welcome to the 3rd instalment to RYB Konsult’s blog for the ‘CIBSE 100 days of carbon clean up’.
Having completed CIBSE’s TM22, various measures have been selected by the Carbon Officers. One of which decided an initial energy policy needed to be written to support the efficiency and sustainable measures already achieved in the campaign.
It was decided that a simple plan should be written and discussed first, in-line with the CIBSE Energy management matrix (level 2) and CIBSE’s TM22. Once this stage has been established RYB would seek to advance to level 3 and 4. This was done for several reasons;
To establish, improve and monitor the overall approach to energy management,
Provide goals against which to monitor and;
Identify objectives;
Save energy
Cut bills
Set targets
The first stage involved scoping and exploring the company’s energy use. Four items were identified as items that can be controlled by staff;
· Use of office equipment,
· Use of windows for ventilation,
· Use of local heating controls and;
· Use of lighting/shading to maximise the use of daylight.
These measures were identified because they can be influenced by staff members and recorded by meter readings. Energy targets were then derived from last years energy bills and initially set to not use more energy than the pervious financial year 2006-7. These targets are to be reviewed once monthly meter readings have been taken.
The electrical demand for RYB is 3% worse than good practice hence focus again as been placed on reducing the demand. First results show that since August RYB Konsult’s electrical demand has decrease by approximately 500 units per week, saving approximately £35 a week. This is attributed to the new LCD screens and reduced electrical cooling due to increased use of natural ventilation.
RYB Konsult’s campaign continues with the one week lift ban starting as of the 29th October.
Having completed CIBSE’s TM22, various measures have been selected by the Carbon Officers. One of which decided an initial energy policy needed to be written to support the efficiency and sustainable measures already achieved in the campaign.
It was decided that a simple plan should be written and discussed first, in-line with the CIBSE Energy management matrix (level 2) and CIBSE’s TM22. Once this stage has been established RYB would seek to advance to level 3 and 4. This was done for several reasons;
To establish, improve and monitor the overall approach to energy management,
Provide goals against which to monitor and;
Identify objectives;
Save energy
Cut bills
Set targets
The first stage involved scoping and exploring the company’s energy use. Four items were identified as items that can be controlled by staff;
· Use of office equipment,
· Use of windows for ventilation,
· Use of local heating controls and;
· Use of lighting/shading to maximise the use of daylight.
These measures were identified because they can be influenced by staff members and recorded by meter readings. Energy targets were then derived from last years energy bills and initially set to not use more energy than the pervious financial year 2006-7. These targets are to be reviewed once monthly meter readings have been taken.
The electrical demand for RYB is 3% worse than good practice hence focus again as been placed on reducing the demand. First results show that since August RYB Konsult’s electrical demand has decrease by approximately 500 units per week, saving approximately £35 a week. This is attributed to the new LCD screens and reduced electrical cooling due to increased use of natural ventilation.
RYB Konsult’s campaign continues with the one week lift ban starting as of the 29th October.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Ideas Flow
Welcome to the second entry to RYB:Konsult’s blog of the ‘CIBSE 100 days of carbon clean up’
On the morning of Monday 17th September our ‘Carbon Champion’ Mark Bryan started the campaign by giving a presentation that introduced staff to the aims and targets of the campaign. Staff were informed about the measures they could introduce to cut their carbon footprint in the five areas which have been highlighted by CIBSE; Lighting; Stationery; Office Equipment; Small Power and Heating and Cooling.
Once the various options had been discussed and a team of carbon officers were selected, one member from each of RYB:Konsult’s teams. These carbon officers are to maintain and uphold the commitments made from the ‘carbon team’, within their own teams. It was agreed that the Carbon Officers were to regularly meet to discuss progress and to promote any new ideas.
Before the first Carbon Officers meeting it was decided to work out RYB:Konsult’s current carbon emissions and conduct an energy audit. This information will provide the benchmark figures for the measurement of the campaign. CIBSE’s TM22 was completed and sent to CIBSE, this transpired RYB:Konsult’s carbon emissions from its energy usage to be 51 kgCO2/m2, 10 % better than good practice. However the results also showed the electricity demand to be 3 % worse than good practice and so it was decided the main focus should be to reduce our electrical demand. RYB:Konsult then took this a step further by working out it’s Carbon Footprint for the financial year 2006-7, which included the companies transport journeys including employees daily commute and the water usage. This proved to be 115,339 kgCO2 per annum, RYB are currently investigating ways of off-setting these emissions.
On the morning of Monday 17th September our ‘Carbon Champion’ Mark Bryan started the campaign by giving a presentation that introduced staff to the aims and targets of the campaign. Staff were informed about the measures they could introduce to cut their carbon footprint in the five areas which have been highlighted by CIBSE; Lighting; Stationery; Office Equipment; Small Power and Heating and Cooling.
Once the various options had been discussed and a team of carbon officers were selected, one member from each of RYB:Konsult’s teams. These carbon officers are to maintain and uphold the commitments made from the ‘carbon team’, within their own teams. It was agreed that the Carbon Officers were to regularly meet to discuss progress and to promote any new ideas.
Before the first Carbon Officers meeting it was decided to work out RYB:Konsult’s current carbon emissions and conduct an energy audit. This information will provide the benchmark figures for the measurement of the campaign. CIBSE’s TM22 was completed and sent to CIBSE, this transpired RYB:Konsult’s carbon emissions from its energy usage to be 51 kgCO2/m2, 10 % better than good practice. However the results also showed the electricity demand to be 3 % worse than good practice and so it was decided the main focus should be to reduce our electrical demand. RYB:Konsult then took this a step further by working out it’s Carbon Footprint for the financial year 2006-7, which included the companies transport journeys including employees daily commute and the water usage. This proved to be 115,339 kgCO2 per annum, RYB are currently investigating ways of off-setting these emissions.
Having decided to focus on our electrical demand the first step was to replace all old energy intensive computer monitors with new LCD screens. This saw a preliminary drop in wattage from 130 Watts to 100 Watts per PC station per hour, this should have a dramatic shift in the electrical consumption.
Secondly, it was decided to install blinds to the outward facing windows, this measure will reduce solar gains in the summer and limit the need for electrical cooling.
The first ‘Carbon Officers’ meeting occurred 26th September, which produced an hour long meeting discussing the values of various options as defined by CIBSE. The meeting produced a series of actions which are plausible for RYB:Konsult to achieve, including;
PIR lighting for main office area;
- Timer switches for hot water cylinders
- All unnecessary printers are turned off;
- Conduct an investigation of small renewables;
- To replace the standard stationary order to more recycled products;
- Carbon Officers to make sure PC’s stand-by buttons are switched off.
Various weekly activities were then decided to promote the 100 days of carbon clean up, which include a week ban of lift usage, floor box switch off and a cooler ban.
PIR lighting for main office area;
- Timer switches for hot water cylinders
- All unnecessary printers are turned off;
- Conduct an investigation of small renewables;
- To replace the standard stationary order to more recycled products;
- Carbon Officers to make sure PC’s stand-by buttons are switched off.
Various weekly activities were then decided to promote the 100 days of carbon clean up, which include a week ban of lift usage, floor box switch off and a cooler ban.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
The 100 Days Begins...
The 100 Days Carbon Clean up Campaign, an initiative being run by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) http://www.cibse.org, starts today ‘Wednesday 12th September’.
RYB Konsult is actively supporting this campaign, and has signed up to participate.
Over 100 days, we will be looking at how we can make positive contributions to reduce the carbon emissions from our building, simply by adopting good practice measures and by encouraging staff to be more carbon conscious within the workplace.
We will be kicking off with our Carbon Champion ‘Mark Bryan’ hosting a Carbon Awareness morning on Monday 17th September, where all staff will be informed of the measures they can take to reduce their carbon footprint in the five areas which have been highlighted by CIBSE; Lighting, Stationery, Office Equipment, Small Power, Heating and Cooling. One member from each team within the practice will be nominated to form our team of 'Carbon Officers' who will meet on a weekly basis to discuss progress, challenges and ideas.
Regular updates will be posted throughout the 100 days, so please keep checking our blog.
RYB Konsult is actively supporting this campaign, and has signed up to participate.
Over 100 days, we will be looking at how we can make positive contributions to reduce the carbon emissions from our building, simply by adopting good practice measures and by encouraging staff to be more carbon conscious within the workplace.
We will be kicking off with our Carbon Champion ‘Mark Bryan’ hosting a Carbon Awareness morning on Monday 17th September, where all staff will be informed of the measures they can take to reduce their carbon footprint in the five areas which have been highlighted by CIBSE; Lighting, Stationery, Office Equipment, Small Power, Heating and Cooling. One member from each team within the practice will be nominated to form our team of 'Carbon Officers' who will meet on a weekly basis to discuss progress, challenges and ideas.
Regular updates will be posted throughout the 100 days, so please keep checking our blog.
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