Paying for your facility’s electricity and gas is an unavoidable expense. And as tariffs increase across both large and small suppliers, taking steps to reduce energy costs can result in significant savings that can be put to better use in other areas of your business.
Achieving an efficient energy strategy may seem like a daunting endeavour, but it needn’t be a complex process. Here are two simple ways to reduce energy costs:
1. Shop around and save on energy tariffs.
When it comes to sourcing energy contracts, it pays to shop around. There are currently around 60 energy suppliers in the UK. More than ever before, the competitive nature of the UK’s energy marketplace provides businesses with the opportunity for potential savings.
How much does your business stand to save?
By shopping the market and switching suppliers, your business can save up to 40% on your energy bills!
2. Reduce your energy consumption
Along with securing cheaper energy tariffs, you can also look to reducing your facility’s actual energy consumption. You can achieve this through some ‘quick-wins’, as well as longer-term energy efficiency investments.
Immediate energy-saving tips
- Turn off and unplug all equipment at the end of the day, such as desktops, laptops, printers. (According to Carbon Trust, a single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day can cost over £50 a year!)
- Use appliances that use energy in a more efficient way (look for those that carry an Energy-Star rating).
- Replace all your incandescent lighting with LED lights – these provide excellent quality lighting and last around 80% longer!
- Maximise natural lighting in the building so that you don’t need to keep lights on at all times.
- Make sure that lights are turned off when not in use (or install motion sensors to ensure this).
- Maintain, clean and replace your air filters, boilers and other heating and cooling equipment regularly.
- Control your heating. Did you know that turning your winter heating down by just one degree can cut your heating bill by up to 8%?
- Close doors and windows when heating or air conditioning is on.
Longer-term energy-efficient measures:
- Install solar panels to provide a sustainable energy source.
- Re-insulate the building.
- Upgrade your cooling and heating systems to the latest energy-efficient technology.
- Invest in double-glazed windows.
- Fit draught excluders to help maintain a consistent temperature.
Overall, the best energy savings come from implementing an array of measures (both short- and long-term) consistently across your business. Your focus on energy reduction measures should form part of a broader efficiency drive – encouraging internal commitment, engaging staff, and demonstrating clear results to encourage further progress.
Demonstrating that you’re operating your business and buildings more efficiently can qualify your business for certain tax reliefs – not to mention that you’ll save energy, the environment, and boost your bottom line!
Keen to find out more? The energy consultants at Smarter Business have created a helpful, free download: Get the Business Energy Saving Guide.