Change behaviour for green benefits

12 April 2023

What are you doing to go green? 

Adopting new technology and more efficient equipment is clearly at the heart of achieving sustainability on the route to net zero, but managing and using existing machinery more effectively should not be overlooked. 

That was an important message conveyed by speakers during a seminar on decarbonisation strategies at the Distributed Energy Show last month in Telford. 

Hannah Bond, Energy Manager with the Travis Perkins group, said that while the organisation was adopting measures like fitting LED lights and using PIR sensors to switch them on and off as required, and fitting timers to equipment, significant reductions can be made simply by ensuring staff turn on lighting and heating only as necessary and turning them off afterwards.

Indeed, she said that TP had an incentive scheme to encourage branch managers at relevant locations to make such savings. 

Conversely, however, Stuart McLeod who is Energy Manager with Balfour Beatty said that the transient nature of the contractors’ sites meant that automating and centralising measures was more appropriate, rather than relying on individuals’ behaviour and habits which could change frequently. 

Each site invariably has a different culture and outlook, so introducing measures like the EcoNet automated equipment control system (pictured above) and EcoSense energy-efficient site cabins (below) – both developed in partnership with Sunbelt Rentals – would deliver reliable benefits. 

Nevertheless, it’s worth bearing in mind what carbon reductions can be made simply by adopting good housekeeping measures, especially at your own premises and facilities. 

You’ll probably save money, too.