In this economic climate businesses everywhere are looking at ways to
lower their costs. Your electricity bill is an easy place to start and
there are a number of ways you can save money.
Call your supplier
Talking to your current energy supplier is a great place to start.
Most suppliers will be happy to discuss the tariff you are on and see if
this is the best for your business. Shop around with other suppliers
and energy brokers to see what’s on offer. Depending on what stage your
business is at, it may be worth opting for a longer deal or something
more flexible.
While talking to your supplier about tariffs, ask if they offer
discounts for certain payment methods. For example, most energy
suppliers will offer a discount or incentive for paying by Direct Debit.
Check your bill
Make sure you spend a couple of minutes checking your bill. Has your
supplier billed you accurately on an actual read or have they estimated
your usage? Check the read against your meter; it only takes a few
minutes to send your read in. By giving regular reads you make sure your
bills are accurate and that you only pay for the energy you use. Many
suppliers are also letting customers trial a smart meter prior to
government roll out, which will provide regular meter reads
automatically, so ask your supplier if you can apply.
Energy efficiency
We have found that businesses are less likely to look at energy
efficiency than our residential customers, yet there are some really
quick and easy measures you can take, that can reduce the amount of
energy you use:
1. Lighting
Approximately 40% of all energy consumed in buildings is used for
lighting, so here are a few simple steps you can take to lower your
costs:
- Switch off lighting when you don’t need it (ie in spaces you’re not using and out of hours). Light sensors are readily available, so you don’t even have to worry about switching off manually.
- Swap your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are widely available in a broad range of shapes and sizes. They use 80% less energy and last up to 10-times longer.
2. Heating and cooling
Most of us take heating and cooling for granted. Come rain or shine
we expect our building to be at a comfortable temperature. Many of the
best practice principles are the same for both situations.
- Most heating and cooling systems are fitted with regulators and most of us don’t know how to use them properly, so get to know your controls.Set temperature controls to match the season and weather conditions.
- Set time controls to match occupancy.
- During colder months, keep windows and doors closed where possible and check to make sure they are properly sealed.
3. Office equipment
There are some really easy steps you and your employees can take together to reduce consumption.
- If you’re gone from your desk for a while, switch off your computer or at the very least switch off your monitor.
- Switch off any office equipment when not in use and at the end of day. Many still draw power even when they are in standby mode, this includes photocopiers and mobile phone chargers.
- When purchasing new equipment opt for makes and models that have an A energy efficiency rating. These will improve your overall consumption for the lifetime of the product.
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