If you are currently considering refurbishing your commercial premises, this is an excellent opportunity to improve the overall energy efficiency of the space. You may even make substantial savings on future energy bills which would offset the initial cost of the refurbishment work. A better working environment for your staff with improved comfort may also reduce loss of earnings due to absenteeism. It may also improve your staff retention therefore saving you from the high cost of recruitment.

      Below are some simple ideas you could consider.

• Review the internal layout and try to improve natural daylight contributions.

• Change the lighting to more efficient lamps and light fittings. Add automatic sensors to turn of lights when they are not needed to be switched on.

• Consider solar blinds or film on windows to improve performance.

• Are shelves and storage systems affecting the performance of the existing HVAC system. This is especially a problem in high rise office spaces where a perimeter fan coil type system is used.

• Consider using high reflective paints for internal walls to improve light levels.

• Install new HVAC controls to ensure the heating or cooling zones are appropriate to the activity within the space.

• Add or improve insulation.

• If your existing building services are old and inefficient consider replacing the entire HVAC system with a new more efficient system.

• Rework the space to make use of the natural resources available, i.e. light and ventilation.

• Would a rework of the internal space negate the need for air conditioning? Are there high occupancy rooms exposed to heat gains from the sun?

• Consider replacing the windows for low heat loss glass and frames, include solar glass or add solar shading to the facade.

• Replace old computers & CRT monitors for new PC's with LCD monitors. They use less electricity and create less internal heat gain.