Managing Your Business' Energy Usage This Season

Energy is a large expense for most businesses. Small businesses spend an average of £3,468 on electricity each year and medium businesses can expect to pay up to £6,705 according to a survey by Bionic. On top of this, most small businesses pay £1,150 for gas while medium businesses spend roughly £1,860 on their gas bill each year.

The amount that you spend on energy each year will depend on several factors including the size of your company, your business operations, and the industry that you work in. The good news is, there are plenty of simple ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce overhead costs. Here are some tips to help you manage your business’ energy usage and save money this season.

Book a commercial energy audit

Booking a commercial energy audit is a great first step if you are trying to reduce your business’ energy consumption. A commercial energy audit will give you a clear overview of your energy performance and help you identify ways to reduce carbon emissions. Not only is this better for the environment, but it will also save you money and boost the green reputation of your company.

When you book a commercial energy audit, an accredited assessor will visit your facility and conduct a thorough energy audit. You will then be provided with a report with an energy score and a detailed outline of the energy performance of your building.

The auditor will also give you recommendations on how to make your business facility more energy efficient. Some common energy efficiency measures include:

• Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lighting.
• Upgrading old windows with double or triple-glazing.
• Installing additional insulation in wall cavities and roofing.
• Switching outdated appliances with more efficient models.
• Investing in smart controls such as a smart thermostat remote. 

Create an energy management strategy

Good energy management is essential in every business. If you want to manage your business’ energy better and lower costs, then you should create an energy management strategy that clearly outlines your objectives when it comes to energy consumption.

An energy strategy should provide details on how your company intends to use energy. It should also give a breakdown of where energy is used in your business and how much you expect to spend each quarter/year. Get your employees involved in your energy management strategy and encourage staff participation.

According to advice on nibusinessinfo.co.uk, “you should appoint an energy manager to show that your company takes its energy-saving goals seriously.” The energy manager will be responsible for leading energy-saving measures and communicating the importance of the energy strategy with the rest of your team.

Reduce your energy consumption

Most businesses have plenty of opportunities to reduce their energy consumption. Minor changes can have a big impact and result in huge energy savings. For example, switching electronic devices off rather than leaving them on standby mode could slash your business energy bills by between 10 and 55% according to UK Power.

There is also an extensive range of smart technology that can help you create a more energy-efficient business. Installing timers and motion sensors could have a significant impact on your energy consumption. A smart thermostat can also help you control your heating and reduce wasted energy in your business.

Encourage staff to be energy-conscious

It is important that you get your staff to support your energy management strategy. You should encourage your staff to be energy-conscious and teach them the importance of sustainability in the workplace. For instance, remind staff to turn electronics off when not in use and to put their laptops and computers in the most economical setting.

One of the easiest ways to encourage employees to be eco-conscious is by offering green incentives. Make energy-saving fun with friendly workplace competitions. You can reward the staff who make the biggest contributions to energy savings with things like shopping vouchers or paid time off. This will give your team a reason to get involved with your energy strategy and reduce their energy consumption in the workplace. 

Conclusion

There is no getting around the fact that energy is expensive. The amount you spend on energy each year will be influenced by your business operations and the size of your company, but it is likely to be a significant expense. Effective energy management is vital as it will help you run an efficient business and keep overheads low. The above tips will help you understand your energy consumption and identify ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce your utility costs.