The 5 Biggest Energy Wasters in Your Business and How to Fix Them

The escalating costs of energy pose a significant financial burden for small businesses. As prices continue to surge in recent years, finding effective means to curtail these expenses becomes crucial for their sustainability and success. Surprisingly, many business owners and employees remain oblivious to the extent of their energy consumption and the subsequent wastage. To mitigate both consumption and expenses, it is imperative to address energy waste. This article highlights five major energy-wasting culprits commonly found in businesses and proposes actionable steps to diminish energy wastage within businesses. 

1. Old and malfunctioning electrical appliances 

Old electrical appliances like computers and printers will consume much more energy than newer, energy efficient models. Electronics that may be malfunctioning or running much slower than they should be will demand more energy in order to be used. This huge consumption of energy will become incredibly wasteful for businesses. Particularly if these appliances are no longer operational but are still being turned on. In order to avoid wasting energy, investing in energy efficient electrical appliances will save you costs in the long-term. Consuming far less energy and helping to keep your costs down.  

2. Overused HVAC units 

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is often the largest consumer of energy in a business. During the summer months, when HVAC systems are left on for too long or turned up too high, this can result in an excessive amount of energy waste. Similarly, during winter months when businesses leave their HVACs running unnecessarily will  also result in energy waste. In order to avoid this, businesses should look to install an energy-efficient HVAC system and set up a schedule for when the units need to be turned on. This will not only promote better air quality but will help save money as well.  

3. Inadequate insulation 

Inadequate insulation and airtightness are one of the leading causes for energy wastage in businesses. Poorly insulated walls, windows and roofs can allow heat to escape from buildings. This will result in higher energy costs as your heating bills will be skyrocketing due to the temperature variations created by these gaps in insulation. Similarly, inadequate air tightness can cause your HVAC system to work harder, leading to even more energy wastage. In order to save yourself from excessive energy costs, it is important to make sure that your building has adequate insulation and airtightness. This may involve updating your current insulation or investing in new airtight windows and doors. 

4. Inefficient lighting 

The use of inefficient lighting fixtures or bulbs can result in a significant amount of energy waste for businesses. Not  only are these lighting fixtures more expensive to operate but also consume much more electricity than their newer, energy efficient counterparts. It’s important to replace your old lighting fixtures with newer ones that are both cost and energy efficient. Additionally, businesses should opt for using natural lighting wherever possible as this will reduce the need for artificial lighting. If your workplace is exposed to natural light throughout the day, there should be no need to turn on artificial lighting and teams should be encouraged to turn off the lights 

5. Leaving electronics turned on when not in use 

Leaving electronics tuned on when they are not being used is one of the most common causes of energy waste in businesses. An easy way to reduce this wastage is by ensuring that all electronic devices like computers, printers and TVs are switched off at the end of the day or whenever they are left unused for extended periods of time. Additionally, turning off lights and other  devices when they are not required can also help to reduce energy wastage.

By making a few simple changes, businesses can dramatically reduce their dependence on energy and save on costs. Implementing the tips mentioned in our blog will help you identify major energy-wasting culprits in your business and take practical steps to minimise them. In the long run, these small actions will help to reduce your energy costs, making your business more sustainable and profitable. For more energy saving tips for your business, read more of our blog articles.