Here at Boxpod, we understand the importance of being a business with maximum sustainability. In addition to the obvious benefits to the environment and push towards net zero, being a business that embraces sustainability and its green credentials, is essential in terms of brand reputation and this business’s ability to attract and retain new employees (especially younger people).
Pressure has gradually grown on businesses to be as eco-friendly and conscious about the environment as possible over the past few decades, but things are starting to get to the crunch now, and the pressure is growing even more – especially as the public increasingly look at the individual impact that they, themselves are having on the earth.
It wasn’t so long ago when the most that businesses were advised to do was not waste paper or energy or look at the carbon emissions that they were pumping into the air. In the world today, however, things are a lot stricter now and businesses are expected to be doing more than ever towards the net zero cause.
With this in mind, we are going to look, in this article, at more modern ways to help businesses boost their green credentials, move further towards net zero, and (hopefully) save themselves some money whilst they’re at it.
The Basics
Let’s start with the basics. It is likely that if you are renting a commercial unit, the unit will already have many of these measures implemented. These measures normally consist of energy-saving measures such as insulating the unit (cavity walls, loft or roof, floor, etc.), installing double glazing, ensuring that the boiler is working well, and that heating and air conditioning systems are as efficient as possible.
Other measures are also often recommended, such as improving waste management systems, ending the use of disposable products, looking to go as paperless as possible, or encouraging employees to use public transport or cycle to work.
Technological Energy-Saving Measures for Commercial Units
New technology can play a great part in helping your business to be as sustainable as possible. And it mainly comes through knowledge. By understanding the way that your business works, you can then work out the best way to make savings when it comes to your commercial unit’s green credentials and move towards net zero. This is why one of the most valuable things that technology can give a business is energy management.
The introduction of machine learning, AI, and the Internet of Things have had a massive effect on energy management, but as regulations change, the world changes, and energy sources change, it is important that these technologies can continue to change and adapt, enabling the business to get the best results for them, as well as the environment.
Below, we will discuss some examples of the best technology that is available to businesses as a way to improve the energy efficiency of the commercial unit.
Energy Analytics
Technology can be used to help businesses to understand their energy usage. By understanding how you use your energy, you can predict how you will use it in the future, and this information can be used to ensure that you are using and paying for as little energy as possible.
Some energy companies, for example, offer lower rates at certain times on certain days. Energy use can be cut right down on days or times when there are few people in, and these can all be predicted through the use of this technology.
With an understanding of the energy use in your commercial unit, you have the power to ensure that you are using and spending as little as possible.
Smart buildings that are able to gain this sort of information from their occupants can then automatically take actions that will help to cut down the business’s energy use even more. For example, at times when the building is not, or minimally being used, it could cut off devices to ensure that only the minimal amount of energy is used. It could also, however, cut off devices that are not needed at times of high energy consumption.
Sensors
Internet of Things sensors are an excellent way of monitoring and controlling the environment within the commercial unit. They can be used to monitor light, humidity, and air temperature, for example.
If these sensors can then communicate with AI, the unit can then have its environmental factors controlled to ensure that there is little to no wastage. For example, as with traditional light sensors, they could be turned off when there is nobody in the room. When temperature levels need to be adjusted, they can be changed automatically, and if no-one is in the unit, these could be turned off if appropriate.
Reusable Energy
The use of reusable energy has always been a good option for improving the green credentials of a commercial unit. However, in the past, this has been expensive and pretty intrusive. Recently, however, these technologies such as solar panels have become easier and less expensive to install.
Some businesses are beginning to implement other reusable energy options that are more particular to the business and the way that it is run. For example, factories that make a lot of use of water are able to harvest the energy from this water. Other businesses, such as those that create a lot of heat from servers or other technology can use the heat that is generated by this to create energy or heat water systems.
It is important to note that although AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things can have a largely positive impact on the energy efficiency of a commercial unit, the technology itself also uses a significant amount of energy to function. For businesses that are truly looking to reduce their impact on the environment, it would be useful to weigh these two sides up against each other.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability is an essential factor in the running of any business, and the green credentials of a commercial unit can play a major role in this.
Finding the right commercial unit for your business is vital, so if you are looking for the ideal commercial unit for your business, why not take a look at what we have here to offer at Boxpod?
If you are a commercial unit landlord, you can also list your unit on our website, so why not take a look at our website today?