With some big changes incoming, we’re taking a closer look at how developments in government, new leadership, policies and legislation can have a direct impact on energy prices and thus your business’ energy bills.   The Factors That Affect Your Business Energy Prices Firstly, let’s consider the key factors that affect your business energy prices and what you pay per month or per year. The global energy market – Fluctuations in the global market can lead to significant shifts in energy costs for businesses, impacting their operating expenses and bottom line. Rising international prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, driving up energy bills Network charges impacting energy bills Energy supplier operating costs and margins influencing prices Energy and climate change policies aimed at: Delivering low-carbon, secure, and affordable energy supplies Helping households and businesses save energy Supporting low-income and vulnerable consumers   Policies Introduced By The Government Renewable Energy Project Approval: The government recently greenlit a massive offshore wind farm project, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade. This project is expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and significantly boost the renewable energy sector.   Tax Reforms on Energy Companies: A new policy has been implemented to increase taxes on fossil fuel companies while offering tax incentives for renewable energy investments. This move is designed to encourage a shift towards greener energy solutions and discourage reliance on non-renewable energy sources.   Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have been introduced, limiting emissions from industrial plants. These regulations are set to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with pollution, showcasing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.   How These Policies Influence Business Energy Tariffs These government policies have a direct impact on energy prices for businesses. With the introduction of renewable energy projects, there is a growing demand for clean energy sources, resulting in increased tariffs to cover the costs of implementing these projects. Similarly, the tax reforms on energy companies can lead to higher costs being passed onto businesses in order to maintain profit margins. This also applies to environmental regulations which may require businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and processes. Moreover, changes in government leadership and shifts in political ideologies can also affect energy prices. Different administrations may prioritise different aspects of the energy sector, resulting in policy changes that again, can impact business energy tariffs   What You Can Do To Manage Your Gas & Electricity Costs While little can be done to change the external influences on your gas and electricity bills, there are things you can do to manage your business energy costs:   Changing Business Energy Suppliers One of the first things you can do is shop around for the best deal.  Conduct a thorough comparison of business energy suppliers to find the best tariff for your specific needs. Look beyond just the price and consider factors such as customer service, stability, and renewable energy options offered by each supplier. Stability would be key, especially in times of economic or political uncertainty. A well-established energy provider may be a more reliable provider when times are uncertain.   Additional Cost-Saving Strategies As well as switching business energy suppliers and shopping for the best deal, there are many other cost-saving strategies a business can undertake. from making energy efficiency upgrades to business premises to simply conducting an energy audit, these measures and steps can make a big difference to your business energy bills. Helping to cut your costs and to future-proof your business for the future of clean energy. Conduct an energy audit of your business Energy-efficiency upgrades Investment into renewable energy Use a smart meter for businesses to track your energy consumption in real-time If you would like more information about renewable energy such as 100% UK wind power or would be interested in receiving a free quote form D-ENERGi for your business energy, do not hesitate to get in touch.

As summer has rolled around and days are slowly but surely warming up, your business premises will be too. With this comes a greater demand for air conditioning. Especially in work places where lots of people are working together in a small space. Offices tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to A/C use, with unlimited access to the controls, individuals will play around with the settings to ensure the temperature is just right for them. However, with consistent use of an air conditioner and HVAC system comes a rise in energy consumption and as a result your business energy bills. In this article we explain how your business’ HVAC system can be optimised to ensure summer energy efficiency and cost savings.   The Importance Of HVAC Servicing & Maintenance One of the most practical things you can do to optimise your HVAC system is to carry out regular servicing and maintenance work. Having qualified engineers review the functioning of your system to complete necessary maintenance work to ensure a quality system will help to reduce expensive breakdowns and your energy consumption. A good system will not require much power in order to run each day, but when your HVAC begins to age or fail, more energy is required to power the system. We suggest having your system serviced at least once per year to check its performance and to ensure any errors in the system are corrected.   Maintain A Regular Temperature In Your Workplace A good way to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and isn’t consuming excessive power, is to maintain a regular temperature. While it may be tempting to adjust the settings throughout the day, switching between a blast of cold air after a long walk to the office, to turning up the heat when the office becomes cool again in the evening, this is not the most energy efficient way to operate. Consuming large amounts of energy in order to switch between settings will cause an increase in your business energy bills. It is far more practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly to stick to a regular, comfortable working temperature throughout the day.   Check For Visible Signs Of Wear & Tear It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your HVAC system, particularly throughout the summer season when the air conditioning will be used more frequently. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage or broken parts. This could include: Gaps in seals Error lights or messages on your system settings Loose parts Poor airflow As well as these signs, many people will notice sounds first. From banging to clanging, squeaking and squealing, a HVAC system that is making a lot of loud noises is likely not in good condition and needs immediate attention from a qualified technician or to be replaced.   Review The Age Of Your System While an older HVAC system can continue to function well, the system should be replaced every 10-20 years to ensure qualified performance. If your HVAC system is becoming dated, it may be time to replace it entirely. However, if you do not have the budget to do this, you could also contact a HVAC technician who may be able to provide replacement parts and offer a service that will optimise your system for a few more years.   To Conclude… While we hope that the sun makes an appearance at some point this year, it is important to consider the use of your HVAC system on hot days. Managing and reducing your energy consumption as much as possible in order to keep your business energy bills low. High business energy bills during the summer months are almost always attributed to the overconsumption of energy from an HVAC system. So, with these tips and tricks, you can manage your energy usage and optimise your system to ensure this summer you are not overspending on energy. For more energy saving tips, check out our blog, and for a free quote, simply get in touch with our team.