Environmental Sustainability and Commercial Property Security

If you are focusing on ways to reduce your carbon footprint, cut energy waste and become a greener organisation, did you know you can do so by making changes to your security system?

There is a growing move towards the use of eco-friendly security solutions that effectively protect assets, whilst minimising environmental impact. If you are working on improving your ESG rating, or simply want to do what you can to reduce waste within your business, read on to discover some of the latest ways in which modern advances in security technology can support your efforts.

Renewable and low energy sources for security systems

If it’s time to replace your surveillance solutions, or you are looking at implementing business CCTV for the first time, there are low energy and renewable energy options that are worth looking at if you are keen to reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint. And the good news is that they could potentially save your business money too.

Solar-powered CCTV, for example, uses renewable energy from the sun to power the cameras directly. These systems also store additional energy for use once the sun has gone down.

Solar power is one of the most popular types of renewable energy for businesses. It is affordable, fairly easy to operate, and can offer quick financial returns.

It is important to bear in mind that for optimal security, a CCTV system will need to run continuously. This means that any renewable energy system supporting it will need to be suitable to keep it running constantly, as well as recharge the battery so that there is stored energy ready for use once the renewable energy source, i.e. the sun, has gone down.

It is essential that you take specialist advice to calculate the needs of the installation and optimise the setup so that you get the most out of it. There may also be the option to sell any surplus power back to the grid, which will generate additional income for your business and help to pay for the initial renewable energy setup investment costs.

Your security adviser will guide you on where to place your solar powered CCTV cameras. The best location will offer maximum protection, whilst gaining the most exposure to the sun to generate optimal power.

Using security systems to reduce energy waste

As well as choosing security systems which are themselves energy efficient, or that use renewable energy, you can use the system itself to reduce energy waste in other areas of your property.

For example, you can connect CCTV cameras and motion sensors to smart plugs, so that if presence is detected during hours of shutdown after dark, the lights will automatically switch on for a set period of time to make it look like the property is occupied, which acts as a deterrent for intruders.

This removes the need to leave lights on permanently. The same system can be used during the working day to automatically control lights as well as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) within different zones of the property.

When it is detected that a particular area is occupied, the lighting, as well as the heating or air conditioning, will automatically switch on. And when the occupants leave the room and it has been empty for a prescribed period of time, everything turns off, without anyone having to make a conscious effort to manually flick switches.

The amount of energy wasted in buildings due to systems being left running in unoccupied zones is significant. But security cameras and sensors have a dual use; as well as safeguarding the property, they can also form part of its energy saving regime.

In addition to being used in a responsive sense, smart plugs can be programmed to switch lights on and off at specific times of day. This can be completely customisable in line with opening and closing hours. 

Security system lifespan and sustainability

Choosing security systems with a longer lifespan will ultimately reduce electronic waste. Whilst this may involve a greater initial investment, you will usually find that it is a decision that serves you well in the long term. Having to replace equipment less frequently doesn’t just cut waste, it also saves money.

Regular servicing and maintenance will also extend the life of your security equipment, as well as ensure it is operating at maximum efficiency so that it doesn’t use more energy than necessary. It will also ensure you enjoy optimal protection at all times.

Ready to discover how commercial security solutions can help reduce your carbon footprint?

At Barry Bros Security, we have been servicing the business security needs of commercial organisations for over 75 years. During this time we have seen many changes, not least the impact of climate change in recent years.

If you are eager to reduce your carbon footprint and do what you can to mitigate the effects of climate change, we can help you by providing advice on energy saving and renewable energy powered security solutions.

To learn more, you are welcome to get in touch. Our experts are ready and waiting to provide you with the tailored advice you need to secure your commercial premises, and reduce your organisations’ impact on the environment at the same time.