Energy Surveys: An Opportunity for a Greener Business
Whether it’s from government legislation, pressure from investors or an increasing consumer demand for more environmentally friendly options, more and more businesses are relying on energy efficient measures to make their business more profitable and more popular. Being energy efficient is quickly becoming a necessity rather than an option for businesses nowadays. If your business hasn’t already taken steps to become more environmentally friendly, going green should be high on your action plan for 2021.
Whether you’re just starting out on your journey to be more green, or you’re looking to fine tune your processes, a green energy survey is a fantastic step to take.
What is an energy survey?
An energy survey is when a team of expert energy assessors fully review your building, energy providers, and your energy output to highlight how your company is using energy and what changes could be made to make your energy output more efficient. The survey is carried out by independent consultants who will put together a full report on your energy use as well as providing solutions to your energy challenges.
What are the benefits of an energy survey?
A commercial energy survey will ensure that you’re aware of how you are using energy so you can work to improve the energy usage. If you work with certified and expert commercial energy auditors, you’ll also be provided with impartial step-by-step advice on changes you can make to increase your energy efficiency and ultimately make your business more profitable. Without an energy survey you will be trying to make your company more energy efficient blindly and could end up plunging money into changing aspects of your business that are already as efficient as they can be.
By undertaking a commercial energy survey you’ll have access to insider information that you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Professional energy auditors will be able to give you options on renewable heat incentives, feed-in tariffs and other similar schemes that can make your business not only more efficient but more profitable.
One huge benefit of an energy survey that shouldn’t be overlooked is that you can use your audit results to apply for government grants to make the necessary changes to your business to make it greener. This means that you will effectively be being paid to make your business more cost-effective, and you’ll pocket all of the savings down the line.
You can also use your energy survey to prove that you are doing your bit to contribute to a greener future. More and more businesses and consumers are choosing to ‘vote with their money’ so to speak, and are therefore only willing to work with businesses that are in line with their own views. This is particularly true for large corporations or government bodies who are under increasing pressure to make greener choices. By undertaking an energy survey and making the changes needed to make your business greener, you’ll be unlocking doors to more business opportunities down the line.
What happens during an Energy Survey?
There are a few steps involved in an energy survey:
- Consultation – Firstly your auditors will sit down with you to discuss your business, goals, budget and timeline.
- Your energy output is measured and reported in detail.
- Your energy output is measured against similar businesses of similar sizes to see how energy efficient your company is in comparison.
- Your building’s structure, environmental conditions and occupancy is studied.
- Your on-site energy use policies are observed, including your staff resources.
- The findings are reported, and steps are taken to find the most cost-effective and energy efficient opportunities for your business.
- Recommendations are made on the best suppliers for your energy needs.
- A plan of action and outline of potential savings is produced.
Once your energy survey is completed it is your decision to decide how to act on the plan produced. You can choose which providers you’d like to work with, which steps are outside of your budget or which ideas don’t work for your business. You are under no-obligation to carry out the proposed plan.
