Manufacturing and industrial processes

Motors

Easy ways to reduce costs can include:

keep your motors maintained
If a motor isn’t working at its most efficient, it can add 5% or more to your energy costs. So make sure yours are always well maintained.
purchase high efficiency motors
When you next change your motor, replace it with a Higher Efficiency Motor. These can qualify for tax relief as part of the Enhance Capital Allowance scheme.
use variable speed drives
Variable speed drives can reduce running costs by up to 30% when used with fans and pumps.

Read more about improving the efficiency of your motors and drives.

Costs could be reduced through these simple measures:

find and fix leaks
Most businesses using compressed air can save up to 30% simply by fixing any leaks.
try to lower the operating pressure
Reducing it by just 1 bar (15 psi) will save about 7% of the energy.
ensure there is a good supply of cool air around the compressor
This will ensure it doesn’t get overheated and use more energy than necessary.
turn compressor installations off when not needed
Compressor installations are often left on when there is no demand for air (eg overnight). This wastes energy because power is being used to feed leaks. Even when off-loaded, compressors can consume up to 20-70% of their full load power.

Read more about improving the efficiency of your compressed air.

Energy bills can be reduced by making sure you look at these areas:

keep cold room doors closed
On average, it will cost you £4 every hour a freezer door stays open.
check your door seals
A faulty door seal could increase power consumption by 11%.
ensure your system is at the right temperature
If it’s even 1ºC lower than needed, your costs could rise by 2-4%.
make sure condensers are clean
Dirty condensers can increase your costs by 26%.
switch off internal lights when not in use
Ensure that internal lights in refrigerated spaces are switched off when not in use or outside of trading hours. This will save the energy consumed by the light itself as well as energy used to removed the excess heat.
don’t put too much refrigerant charge in
If it leaks it can increase your energy costs by over 10%.

For further practical advice on saving energy, call us on 0800 085 2005 or look at our carbon saving advice by sector.

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