Firms warned over energy wastage
Failing to switch off computers and monitors over weekends, bank
holidays or staff holidays could result in mass energy wastage, as
well as costing firms more than £41 million.
AlertMe, the energy management firm, carried out research into
the energy wastage of small businesses and found that forgetting to
switch off all office computers and monitors over the course of
several days could generate 8,793 tonnes of CO2.
The firm monitored an average small business with 50 staff in
order to produce the research and found that if just one worker was
to leave their computer and monitor on standby for up to ten days
whilst they were on holiday, more than 4kg of carbon dioxide would
be emitted.
If all 2.1 million small businesses across the country did the
same, this would emit 8,973 tonnes of CO2.
AlertMe said, “Consumers are starting to take steps to control
the way they consume energy in the home and we urge them to do the
same in the workplace.
“It’s all too easy to leave your workstation on standby without
even thinking and this will have even more impact if you are away
from the office for an extended period of time, such as a holiday,”
the firm added.