Technology upgrades top priority for energy managers, report finds

Almost 80% of energy managers will focus on technology upgrades or replacement in the next 12 months to drive energy efficiency throughout their organisations, according to new research.


These are the findings of a new exclusive report by edie and Sustainable Business, Energy Managers: Procurement, Planning and Purchasing Priorities 2014/15, which surveyed 406 people responsible for energy management within their organisation.

Of the 79% of respondents focusing on technology upgrades or replacement in the next 12 months, energy-efficient lighting leads with 65% considering upgrading or replacing their current lighting systems.

Heating and ventilation systems were second with 49%, while building/energy management systems are being focused on by 40% of respondents.

Following these technologies, 33% said they would be considering onsite renewables installation in the next 12 months.

The report said: “Some might say that this is a win for larger market drivers too: outlawing incandescent bulbs and setting tough new product standards has driven product innovation and many companies in the commercial sector can achieve a step-change in costs by making procurement changes in their regular replacement programme”.

This technology focus may be a result of the lack of behaviour change seen throughout their organisations. A report last year found that energy waste is one of the top irritations for seven out of ten small business leaders, as two-fifths (38%) say they are in charge of monitoring and managing their company’s energy consumption.

According to the survey from November last year, carried out by energy firm E.ON, although minimising costs is the main motivation for SME leaders wanting to see greater workplace efficiency (69%), four out of ten said that a poor reputation for sustainability could lead to customers viewing their business in a negative light.

Leigh Stringer

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