Heating

Keep your thermostat at 19°C. Your heating costs will go up by 8% each time you increase the temperature by just one degree. Why heat your store so that your employees work in shirtsleeves in the winter? Customers coming in from the street in coats and jackets will not be comfortable.
Review your heating system for appropriate unit size for the space, energy efficiency and location. An over door heater provides a heat source too close to an entrance to make it efficient within the shop.
Control the heating with a thermostatic timer, so that it is running on low energy outside store hours.

Make sure that staff understand and have control over the heating so that it can be quickly adjusted
For more info go to www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/top_tips_heating.htm

Air Conditioning

Set the thermostat so that air conditioning does not run below 26C
Regularly clean air conditioning units
Revew the units for appropriate size for space, energy efficiency and location
Control the system with a timer so that it is not running outside store hours

Make sure that staff have control over the air conditioning so that it can be quickly adjusted
Do not place equipment that gives off heat (such as photocopiers) near cooling vents
Take advantage of natural ventilation to provide free cooling

More information is available at weconserve.ca/doorsclosed/?page_id=9 and www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/tech_air_con_intro.htm

Lighting

Install energy efficient light bulbs. For a table of replacement bulbs go to www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/tech_lighting_more_efficient_equipment.htm
Use a timed system to ensure that uneccessary lighting is not used outside store hours - www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/tech_lighting_more_efficient_equipment.htm
Use occupancy sensors to switch on and off lighting in areas off the shop floor that are less frequently used - for example corridors, store rooms and toilets
Practice, and involve your staff in, control and housekeeping measures - www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/tech_lighting_control_and_housekeeping.htm
Ensure regular maintenance - keep windows, skylights, and light fittings clean, replace failing or dim bulbs, check and review timer settings - www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/tech_lighting_maintenance.htm
The Carbon Trust runs free half day information events on lighting - see www.carbontrust.co.uk/events/

Packaging

Packaging on goods delivered to your store pushes up costs by using resources that will probably be thrown away as soon as the customer gets home. It also increases bulk of items dramatically, pushing up transport costs that your business will be paying. It makes good business sense to demand that your suppliers reduce packaging as far as possible. Large businesses have great influence with suppliers and some are beginning to use it. Small businesses can also make a difference by demanding to be heard. For facts and figures on what can be saved go to www.walmartfacts.com/articles/default.aspx?id=4785
Reduce your own packaging. This need not reduce quality or style.

More information

www.carbontrust.co.uk
The Carbon Trust helps businesses and the public sector to combat carbon emissions and promotes commercial low carbon technologies. Find out what support they offer here.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency is England and Wales' largest body dealing with environmental issues.

www.energysavingtrust.com
This site explains various renewable energy technologies and encourages energy efficiency.

www.climatecrisis.net
Website for the film An Inconvenient Truth, with scientific information and tips on how to combat man made climate change.

unfccc.int
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international treaty to combat global warming, and the website offers both introductory and expert resources.

www.unep.org
The United Nations Environmental Programme promotes sustainable development and environmental management and protection.