7 ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS FOR BUSINESSES
Tip 1: Practise simple energy saving tips for buildings
i. Air-con
a. Set air-conditioning temperatures to 25°C or higher, and ensure units are serviced regularly to maintain efficiency. Each degree raised reduces energy needs by around 10%.
b. Install sensors, timers or smart controls on air-conditioning systems to optimise electricity usage, particularly when spaces are not in use.
c. Practise hybrid cooling. Switch to a fan after using air-conditioning for a short while to maintain comfort, while saving energy.
ii. Lighting
a. Switch to LED lighting throughout the building, including common areas, stairwells, and car parks.
b. Install occupancy and motion sensors in meeting rooms, common areas, and car parks to automatically switch off or dim lighting when spaces are not in use.
iii. Others
a. Opt for energy-efficient appliances with higher tick ratings to reduce electricity consumption.
b. Devices like TVs, routers, and computers on “standby” continue to consume power when plugged in. Switching off at the power socket avoids unnecessary energy use.
c. Set lifts and escalators to energy-saving mode during off-peak hours, and consider switching off escalators when not in use.
d. Implement green leases to align landlords and tenants on shared energy-saving goals.
Tip 2: Optimise processes to maximise energy savings
i. Optimising operational processes such as upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, fine-tuning operating parameters and production schedules, and deploying real-time monitoring systems can reduce energy consumption while boosting productivity and cost savings.
ii. Where relevant, facilities can explore waste heat recovery solutions, ensure proper insulation, and perform regular equipment maintenance to minimise unnecessary energy losses.
iii. When procuring new equipment and making capital investment decisions, companies should factor in energy performance and life-cycle costs including energy consumption, maintenance, and operational costs to identify more energy-efficient options that deliver greater long-term savings.
Tip 3: Strengthen your in-house energy management expertise
i. Building in-house energy management capabilities supports implementation of energy efficiency improvement measures.
a. Companies can develop this expertise by sending staff for energy management training at local institutes such as the new Energy Efficiency Training Facility (EETF), launched in Feb 2026 by the Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC) of Singapore Institute of Technology.
b. The EETF is intended to serve the practical training needs of various initiatives which includes the Energy Efficiency Upskilling Programme under the EETC and Singapore Certified Energy Manager Programme, helping companies develop a pipeline of local energy management talent and strengthen their energy efficiency capabilities.
ii. In addition to training, companies are encouraged to establish comprehensive energy management systems and policies to promote staff participation and a culture of ongoing improvement. Providing training and raising awareness empower employees to identify and pursue energy-saving opportunities in their day-to-day operational roles.
iii. Companies can also set clear energy performance indicators with quantified baselines and targets, so that efficiency and progress are tracked and further reductions in usage can be achieved over time.
Tip 4: Understand your energy use with an energy audit
i. The first step to conserving energy and improving energy efficiency is understanding current energy use patterns. Energy-intensive facilities, such as buildings and industrial complexes, can conduct energy audits to systematically identify opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and lower electricity costs.
ii. Regular energy audits or energy efficiency opportunities assessments help facilities identify areas of energy wastage and uncover opportunities for both immediate and long-term savings. These audits allow for a systematic review of energy usage, helping industrial facilities to target inefficiencies and prioritise corrective actions.
iii. How businesses can conduct energy audits
- Do it yourself (Use these guides to conduct energy audits independently)
- Work with an energy auditor (Engage an energy auditor from these recognised lists)
Tip 5: Invest in easily accessible low-carbon solutions
i. Businesses and industries can tap on accessible and financially attractive low-carbon solutions like solar panels to reduce energy consumption.
a. The upfront cost of installing solar panels has decreased significantly in recent years with payback periods that could be as short as 5 years, relative to the general lifespan of a solar panel which is around 20 years. There are also solar installers who offer solar leasing or rent-to-own schemes that allow building owners to enjoy the benefits of solarisation, with little or no upfront cost. Against the backdrop of rising energy prices, this makes the economics of installing solar panels increasingly favourable and can help to cut down on purchased electricity.
b. An example of a company leading the way in the adoption of renewables is MSD. Between 2021 and 2024, MSD (Singapore branch) quadrupled their energy savings from 2.27 GWh to 9.50 GWh. This is in part due to the adoption of solar energy system deployment which led to 2,163 tCO2e abatement per year.
ii. Alternative Cooling Technologies (ACTs) are energy-efficient methods of cooling indoor spaces that use less electricity. Compared to conventional air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, ACTs offer up to 50% energy savings while maintaining the same level of thermal comfort and have been adopted in several developments.
a. Buildings adopting commercially viable ACTs can expect a payback period of approximately 4 to 10 years, along with lower maintenance costs as they eliminate the need to maintain air-side equipment. Commonly adopted ACTs include Hybrid Cooling, Passive Displacement Cooling, Radiant Cooling, Active Chilled Beam, and Mixed-Mode Ventilation. To find out more and explore suitable options for your building, visit the ACT webpage.
Tip 6: Tap on funding support for energy efficiency projects/energy-efficient equipment
i. Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG). The Government will expand the EEG (Base Tier) to all sectors, and has extended it for another year up to 31 Mar 2028 to further encourage adoption of more energy efficient appliances and equipment in light of the Middle East situation.
a. Companies can also apply to the EEG (Advanced Tier) which is designed to support businesses that wish to make larger investments in energy-efficient projects that can demonstrate energy savings above 350t lifetime carbon abatement. The EEG (Advanced tier) is applicable to specific sectors including Construction and Manufacturing. Refer to this link for more information on the EEG.
ii. Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions (REG(E)). Manufacturing facilities and data centres can also tap on REG(E) to support their decarbonisation and emissions reduction projects.
a. An example of a company which was awarded REG(E) is Micron. Since 2021, Micron Singapore has achieved >150 GWh in energy savings and reduced >200,000 MT CO2e in direct emissions. This was due to the installation of advanced Hydrofluoroolefins chiller systems with Chiller Plant Optimisation System which garnered > 33 GWh in energy savings and >50,000 tCO2e reduction in direct emissions. Micron also set up the Catalytic central greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement system which removed 95% of fluorinated GHG and saw a 90% fuel consumption reduction compared to regular abatement technology.
iii. The Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 (GMIS-EB 2.0) supports building owners in undertaking energy efficiency retrofits to reduce their buildings' energy consumption. Some examples of such works from past applicants include upgrading to more energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting systems, installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, or deploying energy management systems to optimise overall energy consumption. The funding quantum is based on the carbon abated from the retrofit works and tiered according to the Green Mark certification level achieved.
Tip 7: Rinse and Repeat – We can all play our part to conserve energy.
i. As energy efficient technology and know-how develop and change over time, it is important for companies to keep abreast of the latest energy efficiency developments/technologies, continue to uncover energy efficiency opportunities, learn best practices from each other, and implement energy optimisation measures.