More managers are beginning to think about their consumption of business energy in environmental terms, according to the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company.
Euan Murray, general manager of the organisation, explains that more business leaders are becoming aware of issues such as greenhouse
gas emissions and their company's carbon footprint.
In response to these concerns, business energy usage is falling under greater scrutiny, with the opportunity to invest in new equipment to make better use of the power that is drawn from the mains.
Mr Murray says: "Investing in more energy-efficient equipment of any kind has real environmental and economic benefits to all businesses.
"However, it is important for businesses to check that any claims products make about their efficiency and environmental credentials are based upon robust research which can be independently verified."
According to Mr Murray, reassessing
business energy sometimes occurs as a consequence of a direct focus on environmental sustainability.
The role of energy efficiency as an "emissions hot spot" makes it a likely area for improvement for firms that set out to assess their sustainability, he explains.
Similarly, setting out to cut energy consumption might be expected to lead inevitably towards greater sustainability and an improved environmental profile.
The techniques used to reduce the amount of power used by businesses might seem surprising to some though, as they can go beyond the usual methods advised.
Often the guidance given includes switching off computer equipment when it is not in use, switching lights off when rooms are empty and opening windows, rather than using air conditioning on a hot day.
But Mr Murray notes that advances in technology mean that up to 80 per cent of the energy used by hand dryers might be eliminated by switching to a Dyson Airblade.
