31 Aug 2023
Energy Saving Advice for UK Businesses
As energy prices continue to soar, the cost to businesses is significant. Whilst most businesses accept this cost as a given and without too much consideration, now could be an excellent time to evaluate your company's energy expenditure and discover ways to save those hard-earned pounds. Use the savings to reinvest in your business whilst reducing your company's carbon footprint – a win-win for your pocket and the planet.
If you're curious about the average cost to business when it comes to electricity consumption, see this table as it refers to different business sizes (Source "Bionic's guides to business essentials"):
Business Size | Low-end usage (kWh) | High-end usage (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
Micro business | 5,000 | 15,000 |
Small business | 15,000 | 25,000 |
Medium business | 25,000 | 50,000 |
Large business | Upwards of 55,000 (kWh) |
(KWh how the unit rate is measured, kilowatt-hours. This is the amount paid for each unit of energy used.)
Five practical tips to reduce business energy costs
1. Do an energy assessment
Begin by identifying where you could save on energy costs. The best way to do this is to take an energy audit of your current situation and get a realistic picture of where you're at with your energy expenditure. It can be worth checking with your energy supplier if you can get a free one from them, as some of the suppliers do offer this service. An audit could take a few hours, but this depends on the size of your organisation. We've included an Energy Audit Checklist at the end of this article produced by University College London.
2. Upgrade your lighting efforts:
Traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs are known for being energy-inefficient. You could save in the long run by switching to these energy-efficient options.
LED lighting: LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs use significantly (over 75%) less energy than incandescent lighting and last longer than halogens. Your LED bulbs could last over a decade with standard six to eight hours of daily use. Furthermore, LEDs give off less heat, positively impacting your cooling costs in the warmer months.
Sensor-activated lighting: Areas with occasional use, such as bathrooms or storage rooms, are ideal for this type of lighting. The sensors will pick up on movement and automatically switch on as required, therefore not wasting energy.
Intelligent lighting controls: Explore dimmer switches and other controls that allow you to manage brightness levels remotely; in this way, you can optimise energy use and provide a more comfortable working environment.
Check-ups and maintenance: Don't underestimate the power of regular maintenance for your lighting. Clean fixtures and replace 'dead' bulbs without delay. The build-up of dirt or malfunctioning lighting can consume more energy and provide poor lighting by comparison.
3. Encourage an energy-conscious culture
Saving energy isn't just about upgrading your equipment or technology. It's about creating and fostering a culture where energy saving is on everyone’s minds. Encourage your team to take accountability for their energy consumption. Easy things like turning off lights when leaving a room, disconnecting chargers and avoiding unnecessary heating and cooling can make a huge difference.
4. Turn off standby mode
Standby mode is a convenient feature, and most devices have this function. Think of your office printer, for example. However, the problem is most appliances still consume energy when they're in standby mode. According to Next Business Energy's article, appliances not in use but still on standby can cost businesses up to 10 per cent of their electricity bills (link to: https://nextbusinessenergy.com.au/blog/standby-power-how-much-is-it-really-costing-your-business/).
Switching off at the plug point is the best way to avoid unnecessary costs, and one way to do this is to assign this task to an "energy-saving champion" within your organisation.
5. Buy energy-efficient office equipment
Electrical equipment with poor energy ratings could be costing your business. Whilst it's impractical to replace everything in one go, it's worth bearing in mind energy-saving options when the time comes to replace them. You will notice grades such as A+++ and G on appliance tags. These determine the amount of energy the appliance or device uses per hour, with A+++ being the best and G the worst. Whilst the most efficient products could cost more at the purchase stage, they will save you on the energy side.
Partnering with an experienced electrical store
Whether online or in person, PEC Lights provides exceptional value for money and service for all your electrical and lighting needs. The team understands that customers value the support and accurate advice, and has been rated with the prestigious Platinum Trusted Service Award. This means you can rest assured you're in safe and capable hands. Contact PEC Lights today for further advice on energy-saving lighting and other electrical enquiries.
UCL Energy Audit Checklist
Introduction
Conducting energy audits on a regular basis helps identify energy waste and identify opportunities for improving energy practices. This aids carbon emission reductions, can make working environments more comfortable, ensures Health and Safety guidelines are met and helps improve communications between the estate's department and the people who work and study in your building.
Tip sheet produced by the UCL Sustainability Team, Green UCL.
Email: green-ucl@ucl.ac.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/greenucl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenucl
