3) Fill in the energy reduction plan template

Posted · Add Comment

3) Fill in the ‘Energy Reduction Plan’ template

The ‘Energy Reduction Plan’ template allows you to create your own blueprint for reducing energy use and saving money. You can download it here: EnergyCut.info/erp-template.

Go through the template step by step and fill in the tables and checklists. You’ll also need to revisit the document to update it and to monitor your progress.

The ‘Energy Reduction Plan’ template is divided into three sections. Each section relates to different steps in the Energy Cut book:

 

Section 1: Your present situation (Steps 1-3)

Your business’s present situation. This is where you’ll record your business’s current energy use and costs. This part of your plan will also show you where the energy is being used and by what equipment.

Baseline energy use. There are two ways to use baseline figures:

  • Annual comparison: If you created your baseline energy figure in March 2015, you will compare your future energy use with that figure. For example, “Compared to our March 2015 baseline figure, we have now reduced our energy use by 12%”.
  • Seasonal comparisons: Comparing your winter bill with the previous winter bill; or your busy season bill with the one from the same period the year before – will show you whether your heating/cooling costs are coming down.

Overall reduction goal. Within the template plan, this is where you can nominate a reduction goal. This can be expressed as:

  • a dollar figure
  • a percentage of the baseline figure
  • a key performance indicator (KPI) that reflects what kind of business you’re in. For example, if you own a bakery, your energy reduction goal might be to reduce your energy use for each 1,000 loaves of bread you bake. See later in this step for how to establish a KPI.

 

Section 2: What changes can you make? (Steps 4-18)

Creating an energy reduction culture in the workplace. Your plan needs to detail the ways in which you get your staff and stakeholders on board.

Potential areas for energy savings. Your plan needs to identify the changes that you are going to make. This section shows you how to examine and reduce the energy used by your:

  • lighting
  • HVAC
  • IT and equipment
  • transport
  • refrigeration
  • hot water.

It will also show you how to switch to a better energy deal and how to seek out a building lease that takes energy efficiency into account.

This section is where you will record the areas where your business could make energy efficiency improvements through:

  • no cost behavioural changes in the workplace
  • low cost investments
  • more significant investments in energy efficiency upgrades.

Key performance indicators. This is where you will record your savings goals that reflect the type of business you operate.

Priority saving initiatives. This is where you will record the the first actions you want to take. For example, if your audit showed that HVAC was responsible for most of your energy waste, you would prioritise this as one of your first actions.

Short and long term implementation plans. This is where you will record the order in which you will be making changes.

 

Section 3: Monitoring your progress and staying informed (Steps 3, 19 & 20)

Monitoring and revising your plans. This is where you can record your energy usage and energy costs after you have made changes. This way you can see how much you are saving and relate it to your goals.

Staying informed and seeking external advice and help. This part of the plan is where you will record the organisations who may be able to give you additional help. Part of your planning should be to look out for innovative equipment that may have the ability to reduce your energy bills.

 

EMAIL THIS TIP

SHARE THIS TIP