Dove Lodge

Savings made simple! Dove Lodge provides affordable office space and meeting rooms to local charity, voluntary and community groups. With such a wide range of people using the building, Director Mike Clayden ensures it is as easy as possible to save energy and water and minimise waste, implementing initiatives he picked up at a UTILISE Workshop held by the Sustainable Business Partnership.

Microwave sensors have been installed in communal areas such as toilets, corridors and tea stations to automatically switch off the lights when no one is present. In the toilets the sensors are also linked to the extraction fans. In office rooms mains isolation switches have been fitted so that a whole room can be shut down by the push of a button. Energy efficient lamps are used through the building.

This summer Dove Lodge replaced an aging boiler with a more efficient modern model. The new system has inbuilt weather compensation controls which automatically adjust the temperature depending on the conditions outside. Savings of around 50,000 kWh are expected each year, equating to over 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Loft insulation, pipe lagging and a new double glazed front door have also helped decrease heat loss and create a stable and comfortable climate for building users.

In addition to their energy saving achievements Dove Lodge have looked for ways to reduce their water usage and minimise waste. They use a mixed recycling service, where paper, card, cans and plastics can all be put in the same container, and have installed flush-on-presence urinal sensors, dramatically cutting their water bill.