DESCRIPTION OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Good Housekeeping (also GHK) is, as the words already indicate, taking good care of the resources of your company. In this particular case: energy.

In principle Good Housekeeping measures are based on common sense, not on high-tech or large modifications. Therefore, almost by definition, Good Housekeeping options are easy to implement and free or cheap! Pay back times are extremely short and savings are instant.

Practice has shown, that in many enterprises the amount of energy that can be saved by Good Housekeeping is in the range of 25 to 50% of the total energy saving potential. The total energy saving potential would include more expensive measures and modifications of energy-infrastructure or production processes.

To see if Good Housekeeping measures are possible, you can ask yourself the following questions for each item that uses energy:

Ø Do I have to use this device?

Ø What can I do to make it use less energy?

Ø Can I make it use a cheaper form of energy?

It may be beneficial to ask the help of an expert to answer these questions.

The results of Good Housekeeping are:

Ø Elimination of energy-users that are not needed;

Ø Minimisation of energy losses;

Ø Usually also improved operational procedures (also your production processes may benefit);

Ø Optimised production level (increased efficiency = less energy per product)

Ø Savings on out-of-pocket costs for energy.

BESS provides a "horizontal measure list" and "sector specific measure lists". On these lists there are many Good Housekeeping options. Good Housekeeping options can be found in any area of energy conservation.

If you want to make Good Housekeeping serious business, you can consider the following managerial actions:

Ø Organisation: create an atmosphere of productivity and minimization of energy losses among all levels of your companies’ personnel;

Ø Create awareness by drawing the attention of your employees to energy matters and to let them help you by identifying saving opportunities;

Ø You can distribute relevant information to make your personnel learn about energy matters;

Ø It is possible to implement effective Good Housekeeping procedures (an example is to check all compressed air piping once a month for leaks).

To follow the development of your energy consumption and costs, energy bookkeeping is very recommendable, especially if you implement energy saving measures.

Please click here to download an energy bookkeeping tool.