Capital City Electrical Services

If you run a business you will know the importance of keeping costs down. One way of doing this is to reduce your spending on energy bills. This can seem like quite a daunting challenge if you have large premises but making some very simple changes can lead to a substantial reduction in the overall energy consumption of your business. In fact, The Carbon Trust believes that most businesses could use a lot less energy and that

• Low and no-cost actions could reduce energy costs by 10%
• A 20% cut in energy costs is equivalent to a 5% increase in sales for many businesses.

Here are four main areas where business energy costs can be most easily reduced

1. Lighting

It has been estimated that lighting accounts for approximately 40% of all energy used in business premises. Easy ways to reduce this are

• Switch to energy efficient light bulbs such as CFLs and LED lighting. They use a fraction of the energy and have a much longer lifespan
• Install motion sensors, or light sensors so that lighting is only on when it is required
• Keep windows, skylights etc clean to allow maximum natural light through
• Switch off lights when not in use

2. Office Equipment

• Power off all IT equipment when not in use and at the end of the day
• Encourage staff to not leave PCs, laptops and monitors etc on standby as this consumes significant amounts of energy
• Laptops use less energy than PCs, so it is worth considering switching when it is time to replace
• Always choose electrical equipment with a high energy efficiency rating. It may cost slightly more to buy but will save you money in the long run.

3. Heating

60% of businesses’ energy consumption can be on heating and hot water so improving efficiency here can lead to a substantial saving.

• Turn the thermostat down. Even lowering the temperature by 1⁰C can reduce your energy costs by 8% over the year.
• Replace old boilers with energy efficient ones
• Reduce drafts to stop heat escaping from the building. Seal doors and windows and install automatic doors

4. Cooling

Even in Scotland, it can get warm in summer. In addition, the extra heat generated by IT equipment such as pcs, laptops and in particular servers can be substantial. Air conditioning is used by many businesses to keep business premises at a comfortable temperature for both staff and clients. Unfortunately, it uses a lot of energy. To reduce consumption and save money

• Never use air conditioning below 24⁰C
• Invest in ‘free cooling’ air conditioning. When the temperature outside is cooler than the temperature inside, this type of air conditioning is able to use the cold outside air as a free cooling source. This can lead to substantial savings in running costs.

In addition to the areas mentioned above, it is also a good idea to try and get your employees on board with any changes. Changing employee behaviour can also be helped by investing in some good quality energy efficiency posters and putting them up around the workplace. They are a visual reminder that little changes count and that saving even small amounts of energy reduces carbon emissions and helps the environment.

Source URL : https://capitalcityelectrical.co.uk/2018/11/energy-saving-solutions-businesses/

It’s almost summer here in Scotland and you could be thinking about spending more time in your garden. It’s a great time to think about ways to make your outdoor space look great so you can relax and enjoy the sunshine. If you’ve never thought about installing some outside lighting before, it’s well worth considering. Here are our tips for coming up with the perfect lights.

Enjoy the warmer evenings

It’s wonderful being able to sit outside enjoying a drink on a summer evening or getting your friends and family round for a barbecue. Good outdoor lighting will allow you to carry on enjoying your evening after the sun has gone down.

To work out where your lights need to go, think about where you spend the most time. Position lights near your garden seats so that you and your guests can carry on chatting. Of course, it’s important to think about your neighbours as well. Make sure that any lights you install won’t disturb them if they retreat inside earlier than you.

Enhance a feature

Outside lighting can be wonderful for camouflage. When it’s dark you can use your lighting to highlight the best parts of your garden and hide the areas you’d rather not display. If you have a beautiful garden feature, for example, a tree or a lovely pond, why not show it off? You can use an uplighter at the base of a tree or create a subtle glow around your pond.

Depending on the lighting you choose, your favourite garden feature could be transformed at night. You won’t just get to enjoy the warmer weather, it will enhance your enjoyment of your garden too.

Create atmosphere

We’ve already mentioned some things to consider when you’re positioning your lights. It’s just as important to think about the atmosphere you want to create. An afternoon in the garden that carries on into the evening is great for relaxation. The last thing you want is to shatter the mood by turning on lights that are too bright.

We generally recommend using up lights in garden seating areas as the light is quite subtle. By contrast, lights that point downwards often feel overly formal. If you’ve used lighting around any features, this will create layers of lighting that give a lovely effect overall.

Safety first

When you’re using your garden at night, safety should be a key consideration. Make sure that any steps or paths are clearly visible so you can go inside safely when you need to. This is especially important for guests who might not know your garden as well as you do. If you have any potential hazards, for example, an uncovered pond, make sure that’s highlighted too.

Of course, there are more general safety considerations when you install outside lighting. Your lights will be exposed to the elements throughout the year. Make sure that your lights are installed by a qualified electrician who will ensure that your lights meet all the right safety standards.

Source URL: https://capitalcityelectrical.co.uk/2019/04/how-outside-lighting-can-transform-your-summer-garden/

We all know\r\nthat installing solar panels at home is a\r\ngreat way to capture the energy from the sun and generate free green\r\nelectricity. However, many people put off making the move because they worry their roof isn’t suitable. Fortunately, you’ll be happy to hear that most\r\nroofs in the UK are suitable. 

5 key factors

The suitability\r\nof your roof for solar panels depends on 5 key factors.

·         1. Orientation

·         2. Pitch

·        3.  Shading

·         4. Structure\r\nof roof

·         5. Age

1.     Orientation

One of the\r\nprimary considerations for installing solar panels is the orientation of the\r\nroof. In the UK, south-facing roofs receive the most sunlight throughout the\r\nday, making them the most suitable for solar panel installation. However, east\r\nand west-facing roofs can also be viable options, although with slightly\r\nreduced efficiency. North-facing roofs are generally not recommended for solar\r\npanel installation as they don’t receive enough sunlight exposure. The easiest\r\nway to find the orientation of your roof is to stand outside your home with a\r\ncompass.

2.     Pitch

Another important factor to consider\r\nis the roof\'s pitch or angle. Roofs with a pitch between 30 to 40 degrees are\r\nconsidered the best for solar panel installation in the UK. This angle allows\r\nfor maximum sunlight absorption throughout the year and helps optimise the\r\nsolar panel\'s performance. However, roofs with pitches outside of this range\r\ncan still be suitable with adjustments to the mounting system.

3.     Shading

Shading is another critical\r\nconsideration when determining the suitability of a roof for solar panels.\r\nTrees, buildings, chimneys, and other obstructions can cast shadows on your\r\nroof. This will reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your solar panels. Our\r\nfree site survey would assess how big a problem this is for your\r\ninstallation. We would look at ways to mitigate any shading issues e.g. trimming\r\ntrees back or adjusting the placement of panels.

4.     Roof\r\nStructure

The structural integrity of your roof\r\nmust be checked to ensure it can support the weight of the solar panels. Pitched roofs made of sturdy materials such as concrete, clay, or\r\nmetal are better suited for solar panel installation. However, it\'s essential\r\nto consult with a qualified solar panel installer\r\nto assess the roof\'s condition and make any necessary reinforcements.

Flat roofs can\r\nalso be suitable for solar panel installations, although they may require\r\nspecial mounting systems to achieve the optimal angle for maximum sunlight\r\nexposure. These mounting systems can be adjustable to accommodate different\r\nseasons and optimise energy production.

5.     Age\r\nof Roof

Solar panels\r\ntypically last for 25-30 years so fitting them to an old roof that will\r\nneed replacing in the near future doesn’t make good financial sense. Ideally,\r\nit is best if your roof has a remaining lifespan of at least 10-15 years.

Several important factors must be considered to determine\r\nhow suitable your roof is for solar panels. However, don’t worry if your roof\r\ndoesn’t 100% meet all the requirements mentioned. These are ideal requirements and your roof may\r\nstill be suitable. If you are\r\nconsidering solar panels, consulting with a qualified solar panel installer is essential. They will be able to carry out a free site survey and advise you on the\r\nbest options for your particular property.

Source URL: https://capitalcityelectrical.co.uk/blog/solar-panels/is-my-roof-suitable-for-solar-panels/