1. Boiling Water Taps

Turns out these are more than just a fancy convenience here at Works Social. Boiling water taps mean that no energy is wasted on boiling water that doesn't actually go into your mug, unlike the conventional kettle. What's more, keeping the boiling water tap on all day costs 3p, whereas boiling enough water for four cups of tea costs 2.3p, you can do the math and see it's an energy saving hero 🦸‍♀️

2. Sensor activated LED Lighting

We're really happy about most of the lighting in the building being off when we're not here, and it saves a dramatic amount of energy. What's more, all the lights in the building are LED, which can be as much as 80% more efficient than their incandescent counterparts.

3. Paperlessness

Printer, we love you, you're so helpful when we need you, but we wish we needed you less. Digitisation is great because printing is wasteful in more ways than one. Obviously there's the paper, but there's also the ink, and then there's the energy used in printing a page. That's also why our printers move to standby when they're not being used.

4. Turn off them computers

Devices in standby can use up to 50% of the energy they do when they're on. You'd be doing us and the planet a massive favour by turning your computers off when you're leaving, it can make a surprising amount of difference.

5. Or let 'em hibernate

Turning them off is brilliant and obviously the most effective course of action, but hibernation is sometimes more convenient when there's work you want to continue without saving. But just because the screens off doesn't mean parts aren't whirring away. Check your hibernation settings and make sure you're taking that extra easy step.

6. We're sensible with the thermostat 🌡

It's tempting to live in 23 degree heat all the time, but alas, it can't be. All our floors are set to a minimum of 18 degrees throughout the day, and during working hours generally go up to 21. We think this is a fair compromise of comfort and conservation in today's energy climate.

7. Closing them windows

Obviously it’s February right now so they’re not really open, but as Works Social ambassadors, we look around the building for open windows and doors every day before we go. It’s just as important here as it is at home. So if you're craving fresh air it's definitely cool, just make sure you're not sacrificing the heat for it.

8. Avoid driving to work (when feasible)

We know this is a no-brainer and we know you’ve heard it before, but driving to work does terrible things to the planet. Cycle, get the bus, walk, it’ll make a world of difference to, well, the world. And it might end up saving you a ton of money as well. And remember we’ve got bike racks in our terrace for this exact reason!

9. Natural lighting

If you’re lucky enough to be in our loft space, you’re one of the most energy conscious users in the building because of how great the windows are up there. We’re really happy that this room stands just above the skyline, letting the sun in in the middle of the day. It’s doing a surprising amount of good.

10. Remember why we’re doing all this

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are for everyone, and by continuing to save energy wherever we can, we’re helping meet goals 11, 12, and 13. It might not seem like a lot, but it’s changes like these that are going to end up making years worth of difference in the future. 

Hope to see you then :)