A new study states that by leaving the shop doors closed, owners can save up to half of the energy they use, without impacting their foot traffic.
Research from
Cambridge University supports
Close the Door’s mission to get
shop owners to close their shop doors, and consequently reduce
energy consumption and
carbon emissions.
Research found that by closing a shop door while heating, shop owners can save up to 50 per cent on energy consumption. This could also cut a shop’s annual
CO2 emissions by as much as 10 tonnes, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of CO2 released during three return London to Hong Kong flights.
"Here is the proof that it’s time for retailers to acknowledge the massive contribution they are making to energy
waste and carbon emissions if they heat the street," said Jeannie Dawkins, director of Close the Door campaign.
"By simply closing the shop door, CO2 emissions dramatically decrease, energy bills are reduced, and customers and staff are made more comfortable. It’s a no-brainer."
Action for businesses
The study suggests that shop owners keep their stores at the recommended temperature levels set out by Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and make sure to keep the shop doors closed.
This approach to temperature enables the heating to be shut off before the end of the day without impacting internal temperatures, which can save energy. Closing shop doors also makes over-the-door air curtains unnecessary, each of which consumes 24 kilowatt hours per day, roughly equivalent to emitting 91 kilogrammes a week.
"This research allows us to quantify how much energy is being wasted," said Rachel Lankester of Close the Door. "Retailers especially are reluctant to shut their doors, but since there are no adverse effects on business, they simply cannot justify the increase in cost."
Close the Door has been urging shop owners across the UK to shut their doors and currently they have more than 300 stores participating in its campaign. Lankester said that businesses stand to benefit from shutting their doors, because they will save on electricity bills.
"In a recession, it would be a good idea to save money as well as reduce carbon," said Lankester. "It will be hard to convince some retailers, because unless everybody does it, people are reluctant to be the first."
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