Simple ways to reduce workshop power usage

With energy prices increasing, all businesses are looking at ways to reduce their power consumption. 

Automotive Workshops use a considerable amount of gas and electricity. From lighting and heating, to powering equipment for compressed air, exhaust extraction and air conditioning; they all bear a heavy load on energy bills. 

Whilst the increased cost of energy bills for businesses looks inevitable, there are some smart, relatively simple considerations for workshops to help ease the prospect of higher energy bills. 

• Ensuring air leaks in compressed air pipework are attended to save wasted compressor run times.
• Consider changing from fixed speed to variable speed Air Compressors that adapt to suit air demand, running at maximum load only when required, or change to a programmable air compressor. 
• Install powered Air-Programmers to cut the supply of air to the workshop during closed hours. 
• Workshop doors can often be open for long periods leaving heating systems to pump the energy outside. Powersaver switches on main doors can automatically interrupt the heaters from working whilst the doors are open. 
• Install PIR sensors to shut heating down when no movement is detected in an area.
• Power-on timers. To ensure exhaust extraction systems are used only when required, install a timer to give 20-30min of run-time per activation to avoid them running unused all day.
• Changing your workshop lighting to low energy LED have never been more cost effective.

Straightset Sales Director Andrew Bates commented, “supplying equipment and installing it isn’t enough in today’s market. Straightset has prided itself on working with customers to provide practical solutions beyond the traditional concept of garage equipment. We do this every day. By considering ways to provide power savings in the workshop we can make a difference at a time when power usage is high on the everyone’s agenda. 

If you would like to speak to our knowledgeable teams about your workshop, you can contact us on 01909 480055 or [email protected].