ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE PROJECT

INTRODUCTIONThe company or organisation I decided to change for my second project was McGrath’s Oil, Emly, Co. Tipperary. This company sells, as the name suggests, home heating oil, agri-diesel and also motor diesel. As their office is based in their home, they use quite a lot of oil for heating and hot water. Recently they began extending their home and office so I planned to persuade them they should install solar panels to replace the oil they were using.

UTILISING POSITIONS OF POWERThe main position of power needed for this project to be a success was the approval of the owner John McGrath. Although he was reluctant in the beginning as there was a lot of money involved but once I presented the figures to him he was very supportive. Next we had to go to the county council. It was vital that we got planning permission for the solar panels, which wasn’t too difficult. Next we had to apply 1 | P a g e

for a grant for the panels. We were given €800, which was very helpful in making this project successful.

FURTHER CHANGESAlthough installing the solar panels is a big step towards a more sustainable company I felt that there could be more to be done. First of all I looked at what needed to be changed.

In each room of the company the lights used are the less energy efficient traditional light bulbs instead of Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) which consume only a 5th of the energy and last 10 times longer.

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Appliances were the next big change needed. I recommended that they should only purchase A rated appliances as they will save a significant amount of energy. I reminded them to unplug all appliances not in use as electrical equipment on stand-by use up to 20% of the energy they would use if turned on.

‘’A’’ Rated Computer

One of the biggest savings to be made for this company is by the drivers. When starting their lorry’s they should turn their engine on and drive off gently, without delay. This will reduce excessive fuel consumption and pollution. Keeping cool by using the cars vents rather than opening the windows or sun roof will save a further 3-5%. Save fuel in urban areas by avoiding over-revving and driving in as high a gear as possible. Well serviced lorries, with good engine lubrication and correct wheel alignment will also save fuel.

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POSSIBLE SAVINGSSolar systems are usually warrantied for about 25 years. An average household will use approximately €120 a month; this comes to a cost of €1,440 per annum. At an estimate, assuming the energy prices stay increasing at a steady rate, an average household will be paying up to €4,500 the end of the systems term. The total amount will amount to approx. €76,000. The average household of a family of 5 people requires 2-3 solar panels. Not including grants an average cost of a solar panel is €6,500.

→€6,500 × 3 = €19,500

This meaning that your investment would be paid back in approx. 4 years. I was hoping that these kinds of savings would be possible for this company also. So I felt it was my role to bring these figures to the company owner and he was very impressed with what he saw, and felt it was a great idea, and so we went forward with it.

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With the light bulbs the possible savings are also quite good. For example if you take the cost of a light bulb for four hours a day for a year. So a 40 watt incandescent bulb would cost €9.50 for ESB, uses 40 watts of energy, lasts 1 year and costs €1. In comparison an equivalent CFL light bulb would cost €1.90 for ESB, uses 8 watts of energy, lasts 8 years and costs €3. It uses 85 % less energy and pays itself back in only four months; this means for 7 years and 8 months it is making profit. By unplugging appliances you can save up to €200 a year. The amount that can be saved by driving economically is difficult to calculate but it would be approximately €6000 a year.

MY SUCCESSFUL IDEASMy most successful idea was the solar panels. For this to be made reality I felt it was a great achievement. They went ahead and installed 4 solar panels and a new boiler. This is a very good investment as it will pay itself back in approx. 5 years. The company is very happy with how this turned out.

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MCGRATH OIL OFFICE EMLY CO.TIPPERARY

THE BOILER USED WITH THE SOLAR PANELS

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The rest of my ideas are a work in progress so we will just have to wait and see if they are successful or not.

CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion to this project I feel it was a great success. I have outlined many ways that this company can save money and for these to be implemented is a great step towards sustainability. It is ironic however that I have attempted to make a company sustainable that sells the one substance that we are trying to find so many alternatives for. But maybe making oil companies sustainable is a big step; all I must do now is persuade them to sell a sustainable product!!

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