Switch on to energy efficiency

The thought of reviewing the way a business uses energy may be daunting, but in practice often simple changes can have a major impact. Energy bills should be viewed as variables that can be reduced not fixed costs that are unavoidable. The right combination of small changes, many costing nothing, can greatly reduce energy bills. The simplest thing any business can do is to turn off machines when they are not in use.

With both climate change and energy conservation being hot topics in the world of politics, there are more than just cost benefits for any company reducing their energy use. A company’s ethical standing is increasingly judged by its efforts to be ‘green’, with customers and potential partners choosing to work with businesses who embrace environmentally friendly policies and production methods over those who don’t.

Whilst oil prices appear to be declining, the impact is slow to appear in energy bills. However, any reduction in energy usage means a saving that goes straight to a company’s bottom line making energy management not only a cost saving but adding significantly to a company’s credibility.

Know your process

The best way to save energy is to understand your business’ energy consumption inside out - knowing how much energy each part uses, what is necessary and what is being wasted. By following four simple steps, any company can reduce its carbon emissions and energy consumption:

1. Review the processes
2. Collect and analyse data
3. Recommendation and implementation
4. Continual review

Energy measurement is the first step

Measuring energy is often seen as a difficult, expensive exercise that has little or no bearing on practical production. With power monitoring equipment available from RS in all price ranges, there is a device to suit your needs and budget. Once you are able to measure power, you’re able to control it.

• See our range of energy monitoring products

Mechanical systems and maintenance

One of the biggest potential losses in energy efficiency is mechanical power transmission, yet it’s one of the easiest to quickly control and see process benefits. Well maintained mechanical systems will have lower energy losses which means reduced loading on your drives and motors.

• See our range of bearings
• See our range of lubricants

Variable speed drives save energy

With motors often taking the lion’s share of energy use in large or heavy industry then managing the energy to the motors which power pumps and fans can help make a significant saving. Variable speed drives or inverters can be used to replace mechanical flow control systems,such as dampers, valves or by-pass.

The simple rule of thumb shows that a reduction in speed of 10% reduces the energy used by some 27% and if the speed is reduced by 20%, there is a 50% reduction in energy consumed.

• See our range of inverter drives

Compressed air is not free

Compressed air is an essential resource, often referred to as the fourth utility.

The common misconception is that it is free. On average compressed air systems only achieve about 10% efficiency. 90% of the energy used to create compressed air is converted into waste heat. Simple steps can be taken to manage your pneumatic system, reduce leakage and maintain peak performance reducing energy usage.