Efficiency Checklist – 20 Ways to Save Energy Without New Equipment
You don’t need solar panels or expensive boilers to cut your energy costs. In fact, most businesses and mosques can reduce usage by 10–25% just by tightening daily habits, scheduling, and maintenance. This checklist gives you 20 practical, zero-investment steps that make an instant difference without touching your capital budget.
1. Appoint a Simple “Energy Lead”
Every business needs one person who keeps an eye on energy usage – not a full-time role, just someone who notes bills, checks lights, and monitors usage. Having accountability ensures your savings stick.
2. Set a Baseline
Check your average monthly kWh use from past bills. This becomes your yardstick. Improvement starts with measurement. Once you know your “normal,” you can see progress clearly.
3. Read Your Meters Regularly
Estimated bills kill budgets. Take manual readings monthly and send them to your supplier. You’ll immediately stop overpaying and identify leaks or spikes early.
4. Control Heating Schedules
Most prayer halls are heated far longer than needed. Use timers or manual discipline to limit heating to actual use periods – particularly Fajr and Isha times. A single hour less heat per day can save hundreds per year.
5. Match Temperature to Purpose
Prayer halls don’t need to feel like living rooms. Each 1°C of overheating adds roughly 8% to heating costs. Keep thermostats between 18–20°C and lower for corridors or storerooms.
6. Shut Down After Events
After Friday prayers or charity dinners, volunteers often leave lights and heaters running. Assign one person to perform a “shutdown walk” after each event. A 3-minute check saves hundreds annually.
7. Stop Heating Empty Rooms
Turn off radiators or units in rooms not used daily. Focus heat on occupied areas only. Closing doors keeps warmth contained and prevents constant reheating.
8. Layer, Don’t Overheat
Encourage practical comfort: rugs, underlayers, and modest clothing already help retain warmth. Faith facilities often have open floors – use them to your advantage instead of cranking the heat.
9. Use Natural Light First
Keep blinds open during daylight. Replace dark window film or clutter that blocks sunlight. Natural light reduces lighting demand and improves wellbeing during prayers and community sessions.
10. Replace Bulbs Gradually with LEDs
LED bulbs cut lighting energy by up to 80%. Replace failed bulbs with LED as you go – no capital project needed. Start with high-use areas like halls and corridors.
11. Clean Light Fittings and Windows
Dust and grime can block 10–15% of light output. Clean fittings quarterly to get “free brightness” without more energy. The same applies to skylights and glass doors.
12. Service Boilers and Heaters Annually
Dirty filters, blocked vents, and worn burners all waste fuel. Regular servicing keeps systems efficient and safe. Don’t wait for faults — prevention is cheaper than repair.
13. Bleed Radiators
If radiators feel cold at the top, air is trapped. Bleeding restores full heat transfer. It’s simple, quick, and saves gas immediately.
14. Insulate Pipes You Can See
Pipe lagging costs pennies and saves pounds. Cover any visible hot-water or heating pipes in corridors, plant rooms, and under sinks. Each metre of insulation pays back within months.
15. Fix Drips and Running Water
Dripping taps waste both water and heating energy. Hot water dripping at one litre per hour costs over £100 a year in wasted gas. Fix leaks quickly.
16. Use Urn Timers and Kettle Discipline
Community kitchens are notorious for waste. Boil only what’s needed. Use timers to shut off hot-water urns after events. Encourage volunteers to refill partially instead of starting fresh boils.
17. Manage Fridges and Freezers
Check seals monthly. Defrost when ice builds up. Keep appliances away from heat sources. Full but not over-packed fridges run most efficiently.
18. Power Down Electronics
Turn off computers, projectors, and sound systems at the plug, not just the switch. Standby power can waste up to 10% of annual electricity.
19. Monitor with Your Bills
Create a simple spreadsheet or note-taking app to track usage each month. Look for patterns – sudden jumps usually mean a fault or forgotten heater. Early spotting saves major costs.
20. Involve the Whole Community
Post reminders near light switches, kettles, and heaters. Announce savings in Friday khutbahs or trustee meetings. When everyone feels ownership, small actions multiply into major reductions.
Energy-Saving Themes to Focus On
- Behavioural: turning things off, setting timers, adjusting thermostats.
- Maintenance: cleaning, bleeding radiators, fixing leaks.
- Scheduling: aligning operation hours with real usage.
- Awareness: involving staff, volunteers, and congregants.
Each of these can deliver 3–5% savings on its own. Together, they’re transformative – and all cost nothing but attention.
Tracking Results
Use simple monthly readings and a chart on the noticeboard. When you show progress, people stay engaged.
When to Consider Low-Cost Upgrades
Once behavioural savings are established, consider next-step improvements like radiator reflectors, door seals, or basic insulation. They’re still low-cost but permanent. Islamic Energy can advise on priority measures based on your building type and usage.