5 ways to cut your business energy costs
Keeping costs in check is of course a key factor in business success, and one area where you may be spending much more than you need to is your workplace energy bill. The good news is, there are a number of relatively simple steps you can take to reduce these expenses. Here, we outline five that you should know about.
- Switch to a new energy provider
Firstly, think about whether you’re getting a good deal from your current energy provider. Whether you’re paying for your electricity and gas through a yearly contract or a monthly tariff, you might not be on the most competitive rate available. Especially when you have lots of other tasks taking up your time, it can be tempting to stay with the same supplier year after year without stopping to check if you can save money. However, it may be much easier than you think to find and switch to a better tariff. You can even enlist the services of a specialist company to find the best deal on your behalf.
- Change your lighting setup
Lighting can account for a significant proportion of your electricity costs, so if you currently use traditional, non-energy saving bulbs, now may be the time to make a change. Installing compact fluorescent lights or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could take a chunk off your energy bill, and it’s a very straightforward change to make. Also, think about installing sensor systems that mean lights are only on when they need to be. As business utilities specialist Utility Bidder points out, this negates the use of switches and helps to ensure reduced usage.
- Use green energy alternatives
From solar photovoltaic panels and small-scale wind turbines to solar thermal cells and ground or air source heat pumps, there are now many green energy alternatives available that could help you to reduce your company’s reliance on the grid, save money and cut your carbon footprint. Although this technology requires an initial investment, it is becoming more accessible all the time, and it can bring substantial savings in the medium to long term.
- Replace outdated equipment
Using outdated, inefficient technology can mean your energy bills are much bigger than they need to be. When you’re looking for replacement gadgets and appliances, whether it’s printers, PCs, photocopiers, kitchen equipment or anything else, pay attention to the energy ratings of the products. Going for equipment that scores highly on this metric can significantly cut your electricity usage.
- Get your staff involved
If your staff share your objective of saving energy, then you’re much more likely to see impressive results. This means it pays to set an achievable target and make it known to your employees. Doing this will help to get them on board and encourage them to be more proactive when it comes to saving power. Your workers might also chip in with their own ideas to cut energy usage.
Paying attention to these energy saving tips can not only benefit your business’s bottom line, it can also help you to do your bit to protect the planet and even enhance your company’s reputation.
Sources: https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/our-sectors/sme/
https://business.energysavingtrust.org.uk/news-opinion/bringing-brighter-start-2018
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-many-watts-does-a-computer-use
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