.jpg)
Cutting back: How to be an energy-efficient tradesperson
- Claudette B.
- Sep 14, 2022
- 4 min read
With energy prices on the rise and climate change at the forefront of everyone's minds, there has never been a time when being 'energy efficient' was more important.
We've all seen tips on how to save energy at home. Turn the lights off after use. Get a smart meter. Use LED light bulbs and solar lights. But how do we save energy as tradespeople on the job? Believe it or not, there is so much you can do!
Here are 7 cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to save energy for your trade business. |  |
1. Buy cordless power tools
Going cordless is a great way to save energy, as cordless tools retain their charge (with up to 30% more run time if you opt for brushless) and produce no emissions.
They are lower in wattage than corded tools and use intelligent systems to ensure that they use just enough power to get your tasks done. And there's no inconvenience of trailing along with a cord, so you can reach those tight spaces.
You can also buy them in bare units to save on buying extra batteries, producing less lithium-ion waste. With all these benefits, why not give it a go?
  | The DeWalt DCF921N Hog Ring Impact Wrench is a great place to start, as it provides:
|
£172.99
Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.
OR pay in 3 installments of £57.66* with Klarna
2. Buy power tools with long-lasting batteries or twin packs
Makita does a great range of 36V products that use two twin 18V batteries in one, so you can opt to use one at a time or use them both at once.
This ensures your tasks get done quicker with less time spent with your batteries on charge. And when they do need a charge, it can be done in a measly 45 minutes.
The range in question is called the LXT range, so look out for that when choosing Makita power tools, specifically.
  | The LXT collection features many garden tools, including the Makita 18V / 36V Cordless Lawnmower:
|
£299.99
Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.
OR pay in 3 installments of £99.99* with Klarna
3. Recycle batteries
Battery recycling - or lack thereof - has become a contentious issue among environmentalists. While research is still being done to preserve batteries in a more sustainable way, improper disposal is far worse than not recycling at all, as they have been known to leak chemicals into our air and seas when thrown into landfill. Not good.
But why become part of the problem? Recycle your batteries*, and they'll be turned into new ones! Now, that's energy-efficient.
*Just remember to check with your local authority before recycling at home, as oftentimes batteries will need to be tied in a clear plastic bag before being recycled, or will need to be dropped off at an out-of-home recycling point.
4. Use hand tools where you can
While you might feel quite cool using them (since you're a master, at this point), not everything needs to be done with power tools. We know that's hard to take in, but please, put your combi drills and your impact wrenches down if the job can be done with a manual screwdriver or wrench! There is no need to use up power unnecessarily.
Lucky for you, UK Planet Tools offer a great range of hand tools, which you can even buy in sets. You can thank us later.
  | WellCut® have a superb range of hand tools, like the WC-SDB114S Wall-Mounted Screwdriver Set:
|
£19.99
Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.
OR pay in 3 installments of £6.66* with Klarna
5. Don't leave chargers on for longer than necessary or overnight
We're all guilty of this. Whether it's our phones left on charge or our power tool batteries, sometimes, we don't have the patience to wait for our devices to charge during the day, so we'd rather be asleep while it does its thing.
But did you know that breaking this habit will save you energy, and be less of a fire hazard, too? Overcharging can even decrease your battery's lifespan. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, right? Be smart and try day-charging!
6. Go electric on your commute
With conventional petrol and diesel vehicles due to be banned from sale in 2030, now has never been a better time to go electric. Whether that's on your commute to the office or to a client in your work van, doing so will reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
And if you are worried about energy bills from charging your automobile at home, there are plenty of charging ports available at your nearest petrol station. Give it a try and see what you think.*
*Cars not sold at UK Planet Tools, sorry!
7. Invest in flasks and portable kettles
"Tea or coffee?" is a question every tradesperson is used to hearing the moment they start a job in a client's household. Almost always, the answer is a resounding, "Yes, please," and the orders are in, the kettle is boiled and everyone enjoys their brew.
But what if we told you boiling the kettle just once can take up as much as 2-3 kWh of energy? That's around 165 kWh per year - more than your vacuum cleaner, toaster, and coffee machine combined! Talk about a lot of energy.
But there's a solution to this problem: Portable kettles and flasks. They allow you to produce energy using a battery or, to boil your own brew from home and carry it with you.
  | The Makita Twin 18V Cordless Kettle will heat up your teas, coffees and hot chocolates in no time, featuring:
|
£47.17
Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.
OR pay in 3 installments of £6.66* with Klarna
Now, imagine: You start a job, but instead of answering "Yes" to a hot drink, you say, "No, I've got my own, thanks." Now, that'd give your clients a shock.
Comments