Businesses tend to have high energy usage. Luckily, there are strategies that can be used to manage and reduce costs. Most of these strategies are easy and effortless. They will show immediate cost reduction and lower energy usage on your business’ bill.
There are a lot of different things that affect business energy usage. This includes the size of the business. The bigger a business is, the higher its energy usage will be. Cost reduction strategies might already be in place, but there could be new ways to manage the high energy usage.
Companies that compare business energy prices and deals could be of benefit to businesses that use a lot of electricity. This will definitely lead to businesses saving money on their energy costs.
Top business energy users.
The top ten biggest energy consumers in the UK are:
1. Commercial and miscellaneous services.
2. Public administration.
3. Manufacturing and industrial services.
4. Chemical manufacturing.
5. Food, drink, and tobacco manufacturing.
6. Mineral products manufacturing.
7. Printing and publishing.
8. Agriculture.
9. Mechanical engineering.
10. Iron, steel, and metal manufacturing.
Strategies for managing and reducing energy costs.
· Energy Audit
Carry out an energy audit of your business. This will show you where you can make changes to ensure energy saving, and saving costs.
· Supplier
Make sure that your energy supplier is offering you the best deal for your business. Switch to a different energy provider if they can provide you with a better deal. Consult your supplier in order to understand your energy bill. Make sure that you are not paying for anything unnecessary, or overpaying for any services.
· Lights
If possible, use natural light. Switch lights off when not in the room, and at the end of the day. Replace lightbulbs with LED bulbs.
· Heating and Cooling
Turning down the thermostat by only one degree will save costs on energy usage. Turn the heater, radiator, or air conditioner off at the end of the day, or when a space is not occupied. Install double-pane windows to reduce the transfer of heat and cold. Reseal windows and doors, and insulate the walls and ceilings to stop draughts. Close windows and doors when the heating or air conditioner is switched on. Alternatively, open windows and doors during hot weather, instead of switching on the air conditioner. Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners. Natural gas heating is more cost effective than electric heating. Dress according to the weather, instead of turning on the heating and air conditioner. Do not place furniture in front of heaters, radiators, air vents, and air conditioners. Not only will the furniture block the heat or cold, it is a safety hazard. Use hand dryers that blow cold air in the bathrooms.
· Water
Reduce the times that hot water is available so that the water heater is not turned on the whole time. Insulate the water heater and set a specific water temperature. Close all taps to prevent dripping and leaking. This will save water, energy, and prevent mould from forming. Only fill the office kettle with the amount of water needed before boiling.
· Equipment
Turn off and unplug equipment not in use. Create reminders for equipment to be switched off when not used. Invest in eco-friendly and energy-efficient equipment. If possible, repair faulty equipment instead of spending money on anything new. Defrost and clean freezers and refrigerators regularly.
· Maintenance
Conduct regular maintenance checks on your business equipment. Let a professional conduct the maintenance checks to ensure that it is done correctly. Implement a maintenance schedule to keep the checks up to date. Keep heaters, radiators, air conditioners, and air vents clear and clean. Replace filters and other necessary parts on a regular basis.
· Employees
Educate yourself and your employees about ways to save energy. Make sure everyone knows how to use energy-efficient and eco-friendly equipment. Introduce energy saving policies. Create reward systems to motivate employee participation in energy saving. Put one person in charge of implementing energy saving methods. This will ensure that every measure is taken and actually being implemented. Flexible and remote working will lead to fewer people in the office. This means that less energy will be used at the office.
· Government
Take advantage of grants and opportunities provided by the government. This includes tax breaks and deductions, such as the Climate Change Levy (CCL). Businesses using energy-efficient technology and equipment are eligible for CCL.
· Smart Technology
Use a Smart Meter to track energy usage. It will show where, when, and on what you are using energy. This will indicate where you can cut back on costs. Motion Sensors and Occupancy Sensors will switch on utilities when a space is being occupied, and off when it is not. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat to regulate office temperature. Keep it in a location where only a few people have access to it, this way the number of people controlling the temperature is limited.
· Creating Your Own Energy
Invest in solar panels for solar energy, and small-scale wind turbines for wind energy. Any energy generated, but not used, can be sold back to the National Grid. Not only saving costs, but also bringing in money.
Conclusion
There are many strategies that businesses with high energy usage can implement to manage and reduce costs. This article only mentions a few of the obvious ways that can reduce a business’ energy bill.
