Office Energy Policy

Effective Date: 1st January 2025

Definitions

“Exceed” means all companies within the Exceed Outsourcing Group.

This includes Exceed Contracting Limited, Exceed PEO Limited, Exceed Outsourcing Limited and Exceed Business Services Limited.

Registered office address: Studio 3, Bridge Street Studios, 62 Bridge Street, Manchester, England, M3 3BW

 

Contents

About this Office Energy Policy

Objectives

POLICY ACTIONS

  1. Energy Efficiency in Office Equipment
  2. Lighting
  3. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
  4. Water Consumption
  5. Energy Use Monitoring and Reporting
  6. Sustainable Transportation
  7. Audits and Continuous Improvement

Policy Compliance

Review Date

 

About this Office Energy Policy

At Exceed, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by minimising energy consumption, promoting energy efficiency, and integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of our office operations. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and visitors, ensuring that everyone contributes to our environmental goals.

This policy outlines the responsibilities all Exceed employees must uphold to support our sustainability goals. It is essential for each employee to understand how these responsibilities apply to their specific roles and incorporate these practices as a standard part of their daily activities.

 

Objectives

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, Exceed continues to implement targeted initiatives designed to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. These not only reduce our environmental impact, but also operational costs.

  • Reducing energy and water usage: Implementing efficient practices in our buildings to minimise consumption.
  • Optimizing service efficiency: Encouraging processes that use fewer materials and resources while improving overall efficiency.
  • Minimising waste production: Reducing the amount of waste generated by the organisation.
  • Maximising recycling and reuse: Ensuring that as much waste as possible is recycled or repurposed.
  • Promoting sustainable transportation: Supporting eco-friendly commuting options and reducing transport emissions during work activities.

 

POLICY ACTIONS

1. Energy Efficiency in Office Equipment

  • Procurement: At Exceed we aim to purchase energy-efficient equipment (e.g. Energy Star rated products) for computers, monitors, printers, and lighting systems.
  • Standby & Power Management: All office equipment should be set to energy-saving modes when not in use and powered off at the end of the workday.
  • Printer Usage: Encourage duplex printing to save paper and reduce unnecessary printouts.

 

2. Lighting

Some office lighting is automatically controlled with movement and daylight sensors while others have light switches, but everyone can make savings if they:

  • Maximise natural light: Open blinds to allow as much natural light as possible when artificial lighting is not needed.
  • Turn off lights: Ensure all lights are switched off at the end of the day, or during bright days when natural light is sufficient.
  • Adjust blinds for glare: Instead of fully closing blinds, tilt them at an angle to reduce glare while still reflecting natural light into the office.
  • Evaluate lighting needs: Always question whether artificial lighting is necessary and opt for natural light where possible.
  • Switch off lights in unused areas: Turn off lights in unoccupied spaces such as meeting rooms, restrooms, kitchens, and corridors—except for essential areas like stairwells.

 

3. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

To ensure energy efficiency and create a comfortable working environment, Exceed is committed to reducing the energy consumption associated with heating and cooling. Exceed has a legal obligation to provide employees with a reasonable minimum temperature to work in and our Health & Safety Policy states that a temperature of at least 16°C is maintained. There is no legal specific maximum temperature, but a “reasonable” temperature must be maintained.

The following actions should be adhered to by all employees:

Temperature Settings

Heating systems will be set to a maximum of 20°C during colder months.

Cooling systems will be set to a minimum of 25°C during warmer months.

Employees should avoid adjusting thermostats outside of these temperature ranges, as these settings are optimised for energy efficiency and comfort.

Use of Personal Heaters and Fans

The use of personal space heaters or fans is not permitted as it increases energy consumption and there are laws in place that require regular Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of all electrical equipment with the company. Exceed cannot cover any personal items under the organisation’s asset list and therefore any such items found will be removed and may be disposed of/destroyed.

We understand that optimum comfort levels vary from person to person, however an ideal temperature range in an office environment would be between 19°C and 21°C. If you experience discomfort, report temperature issues to the Senior Management Team so adjustments can be made at the system level.

Ventilation and Windows

Keep windows closed when heating or cooling is in use to avoid energy waste and ensure the system functions efficiently.

Use natural ventilation (e.g., opening windows) during mild weather when heating or cooling systems are not required.

Dress Appropriately

Employees are encouraged to dress comfortably for the season, layering clothing during colder months and wearing lightweight clothing during warmer months to reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems.

After-Hours and Weekend Energy Use

Heating and cooling systems will be automatically reduced outside of office hours, including nights and weekends. If after-hours work is necessary, employees should notify the Senior Management Team in advance to make appropriate arrangements if needed.

Regular Maintenance

Heating and cooling systems will be regularly serviced and maintained to ensure optimal energy efficiency. Employees should report any issues, such as malfunctioning thermostats or drafty windows, to the facilities team immediately.

Zoned Heating and Cooling

Where possible, heating and cooling will be zoned, allowing different areas of the office to be controlled independently. Employees should only heat or cool occupied spaces and avoid energy waste in unused areas.

 

4. Water Consumption

Although water consumption is likely minimal to our overall impact due to this only applying to office use, we encourage staff to be considerate of water conservation practises and expect the following:

  • Taps are turned off when not in use
  • Taps are not left constantly flowing and only the required amount of water is used
  • Report any drips or leaks to the facilities manager

 

5. Energy Use Monitoring and Reporting

Exceed have nominated our Barry Mellor as our Energy Champion. Their role is to promote energy efficiency, drive positive environmental behaviours, and support the organisation’s sustainability goals. Whilst we encourage all employees to adhere to energy saving practises, the main responsibilities of the energy champion are to:

  • Monitor energy use: Keep an eye on energy usage patterns within the office or specific areas, such as lighting, heating, cooling, and equipment use.
  • Identify and report areas of energy waste; such as lights or devices left on overnight, and suggest improvements to management.
  • Reporting: Provide quarterly energy consumption reports to management and employees. Establish goals and actions for reducing consumption.
  • Promote energy savings practises: Encourage colleagues to adopt simple energy-saving habits and lead by example, such as, switching off equipment when not in use, using energy-efficient lighting, and minimising heating/cooling usage.

At Exceed we are open to/encourage suggestions on energy efficiency improvements.

If you wish to become an Energy Champion or have any suggestions on improvements, please speak to Barry Mellor.

The organisation will also continue to improve energy efficiency where possible, in terms such as lighting improvements, possibilities of EV charging facilities and procurement of renewable electricity.

 

6. Sustainable Transportation

Exceed encourage employees to use public transportation, carpooling, cycling, or walking to reduce energy consumption related to commuting.

 

7. Audits and Continuous Improvement

The organisation will conduct annual energy audits to assess the effectiveness of the policy and identify areas for improvement. We aim to review this energy policy every year to reflect technological advancements and improvements in energy management practices.

 

Policy Compliance

All employees must comply with this energy policy, and non-compliance will be addressed through the company’s internal procedures.

The Senior Management Team is responsible for ensuring energy-efficient equipment and infrastructure are maintained and for ensuring their teams comply with the energy-saving practices outlined in this policy.

 

Review Date

This policy will be reviewed and updated annually to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.

Annual energy audit and policy review due:  1st January 2026