1. Optimise Heating Systems with Better Controls

Heating can account for over 40% of a building’s winter energy. Small changes to your heating strategy can deliver meaningful savings:

• Set thermostats no higher than 19–20°C in work areas
• Reduce heating in low-use or unoccupied spaces
• Use scheduling to prevent unnecessary heating outside working hours
• Install smart thermostats or zoning controls
• Maintain boilers and heat pumps for peak efficiency

Even lowering the temperature by 1°C can reduce heating costs by up to 10%.

2. Improve Insulation & Seal Heat Loss Points

Heat escapes quickly through poorly insulated surfaces and draughts, increasing heating demand throughout winter. Key areas to inspect include:

• Doors and windows
• Attics and roof spaces
• HVAC ducting
• Warehouse shutters
• Older or damaged external walls

Adding insulation or sealing leaks is one of the most cost-effective measures for businesses, especially in large buildings or facilities that operate long hours.

3. Use Energy Monitoring Tools to Identify Waste

Smart meters, data loggers, and sensors provide real-time visibility into where energy is being consumed and where it’s being wasted.

These tools can reveal:

• Hidden energy spikes
• Overnight consumption issues
• Irregular machinery usage
• Inefficient heating cycles
• Opportunities for more effective scheduling

Businesses using energy monitoring technologies often reduce consumption by 10–20%, simply by understanding their patterns and taking corrective action.

4. Maximise Lighting Efficiency

Shorter winter days mean lighting plays a bigger role in daily consumption. To keep costs low:

• Upgrade to LED lighting across your facility
• Install occupancy sensors in low-traffic areas
• Make use of natural daylight where possible
• Replace outdated fluorescent fixtures
• Clean skylights and windows to maximise brightness

LED upgrades alone can cut lighting use by 50–70%.

5. Encourage Energy Usage Awareness Among Staff

Behavioural change is one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to reduce energy waste.

Encourage your team to:

• Turn off unused equipment and lights
• Keep doors closed to retain heat
• Report draughts or equipment issues
• Use heating and lighting responsibly
• Consolidate into shared spaces during low occupancy

When staff understand the role they play, small actions compound into major results.

6. Reduce Winter Baseload Consumption

Even during winter, many businesses unintentionally maintain a higher “baseload”, the minimum level of energy used 24/7, regardless of activity.

Common contributors include:

• Equipment left running continuously
• HVAC systems left in occupied mode overnight
• Lighting left on in unused areas
• Idle machinery
• Office devices in standby mode

Because overall use rises in winter, uncontrolled baseload consumption becomes even more costly.

Ways to reduce baseload:

• Conduct overnight or weekend load checks
• Install timers or smart plugs
• Optimise heating and ventilation schedules
• Review BMS programming
• Encourage staff to fully shut down equipment

Small reductions add up quickly when multiplied across an entire winter season.

7. Optimise Space Usage During Low Occupancy or Hybrid Working

Many businesses now operate with hybrid schedules or fluctuating on-site staff numbers. Heating, lighting, and ventilating spaces that aren’t being used is a significant source of winter energy waste.

You can reduce consumption by:

• Closing off unused floors or departments
• Using HVAC zoning controls
• Assigning designated office days
• Installing occupancy sensors
• Reconfiguring seating to concentrate staff into fewer areas

Aligning building operations with actual occupancy ensures you only heat, cool, and light the spaces that truly need it.

For additional guidance, the SEAI Business Energy Advice resources offer practical support for organisations looking to improve efficiency.