Energy and education go hand in hand. One of the largest expenses in running schools and nurseries is energy. This makes an effective energy conservation plan essential for all learning environments.    Between kitchens, digital learning resources and general operations (keeping the lights on), there are a lot of drains on the energy supply of a school (even when compared with other commercial industries). This blog will offer some energy saving ideas for schools, so you can help your establishment balance the budget and keep education alive!   Optimise lighting Lighting, like anywhere else, is one of the most significant energy-related costs of running a school. Here are effective strategies for reducing lighting expenses:    Layout classrooms to take advantage of natural light Keep windows and skylights clean Switch off lights when rooms are empty or the sun is bright (encourage students to monitor this)  Install occupancy sensors or timers to automatically turn off when areas are unoccupied  Upgrade to more energy efficient lighting installations (LEDs)   These tips can all help to reduce the burden of lighting on the overall lighting bill.    Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) tips Schools, while not subject to their own specific temperature laws, do have to operate to the same standard as other workplaces, maintaining temperatures of at least 16°C” (60°F) and recommended to be 18ºC (64.4ºF). Children need to be comfortable to learn properly, however, this can be a significant cost. Tips for minimising HVAC bills can include:    Maintaining temperatures as close to reasonable as possible, not higher or lower unnecessarily Install thermostats and enforce the maintenance of set figures Ventilate classrooms properly Maintain the quality of HVAC systems with clean and replaced filters Seal any air leaks or draughts promptly Invest in proper insulation   These solutions might all cost some money initially, but they’ll conserve energy for education in the long term.    Appliances and equipment optimisation There are countless appliances and items of equipment in the average educational institution. Energy conservation can seem impossible when you have to maintain a full working kitchen, staffroom refrigerators, electric interactive whiteboards, dishwashers, washing machines. However, some mindful choices can make a difference, like:     Buying energy-efficient appliances and monitoring performance consistently Turn off computers and other equipment when not in use Unplug any chargers and power cables when they’re not in use Lower the water temperature of boilers and other water-heating devices   Being conscious of your equipment is a pillar in energy saving tools.    General energy conservation strategies for schools Along with these more specific concepts, there are some very general concepts that every school manager should consider.  Finding the cheapest business gas supplier: Research and switch to cost-effective energy providers. Get a free, no-obligation energy quote from our experts.  Conduct energy audits: Schedule regular energy audit for schools to identify further savings opportunities.  Educate students and staff on sustainability: This will all help contribute to long-term energy savings at your school.  Visit our blog today for more insights into the energy landscape of the 21st century!

Hospitality is one of the hardest industries to turn a profit in, with heavy operational/labour costs and seasonal fluctuations only accounting for some of the challenges faced by owners. Guest-hosting businesses also use a lot of business electricity and gas, increasing overheads even more. In fact, over 30% of all hospitality businesses considered energy bills their primary concern in the summer of 2023. This makes the importance of proper energy management in hospitality industry settings as clear as day.    How rising energy costs are impacting restaurant businesses Restaurants are arguably feeling the impact of the energy crisis harder than most of the industries in the UK. In fact, over half of eateries polled by Favouritetable have cited recently that they’ve had to increase their prices to keep up with the inflated monthly costs of electricity and gas. Similarly, many businesses are reducing their operating hours, sometimes by as much as two days a week, to pay less to energy companies.   For many, national and regional energy costs for restaurant businesses in the UK will be the different between staying open or closing for good.    Energy management and saving techniques in hospitality With bills looming so threateningly over restaurants and other venues, hospitality professionals need to utilise some energy management and saving techniques to ensure they can continually offer high-quality services.    Optimising equipment and techniques. Old cookers, pans and other equipment can lead to a lack of energy efficiency, ultimately increasing the overall energy bills incurred by a kitchen.  Finding & negotiating better contracts. In many cases, a hospitality business could be suffering under overcharged bills because of a lack of awareness of a good electricity or gas tariff. Shopping around could make all the difference.   Choosing renewable energy. Renewable energy such as wind power is generally much cheaper per kWh when compared to traditional fossil fuel-powered options – going eco-friendly might be your financial saviour! Menu engineering. Choosing to include items on a menu that require less cooking/energy to prepare can decrease energy bills. Who knew steak tartare could be so helpful! Utilising smart meters & technology. Smart meters are an essential in every home or business setting, ensuring bills are accurate and you can adjust your energy use in real time. Appliances like motion sensor lights can also help to reduce expenditure.  Training & informing staff. Make sure that your staff are made aware of efforts to reduce energy usage and train them in basic techniques that they can apply to their daily processes. Energy-efficient lighting & HVAC. Lighting and HVAC can consume less energy with smart devices like sensors, along with basic changes clearing out the systems or choosing energy-efficient bulbs.    Finding the right solution for energy management in hospitality If you’re leaning towards finding a new tariff or switching over to renewable energy, why not give us a visit at D-Energi. We’re proud business energy suppliers with a passion for supporting companies of various sizes, whether with competitive gas tariffs, electricity or 100% UK wind power.  Contact our team today to learn more.

Retail is an industry that consumes energy at a remarkable rate, especially in food-stocking stores. With bright lights for presentation, constant background music and of course, refrigeration, retail stores are really feeling the impact of the energy crisis in 2025. That’s not to mention the various reasons for the overarching cultural opinion of high streets getting worse – the financial impacts of which can be severe. Business energy conservation has never been more important for retailers trying to maintain operations.    This blog offers some guidance on reducing the monthly energy cost for small retail stores, so you can keep your doors open for years to come, even in a volatile energy environment.   Optimise lighting This is perhaps the most common piece of advice to help a business save energy, and for good reason. Replacing typical halogen bulbs with LEDs is an absolute must, while arranging the store to utilise natural lighting can also make a huge difference. A more comprehensive investment can be installing motion sensors and daylight sensors to adjust lighting based on traffic and natural light availability.    Rethink refrigeration Refrigeration generally accounts for between 30-60% of all electricity used in retail settings. If your retail shop energy rates are too high, the fridge could be the perfect place to make savings. The options here include:    Upgrading to higher-efficiency units Regularly cleaning the fridge’s condenser coils Ensuring any fridge doors are properly sealed Defrosting the freezers regularly Optimising the settings to avoid overcooling and over expending energy Installing night blinds and covers to insulate temperature on open displays Don’t feel the need to overfill your fridges Turn off fridge lights whenever possible  HVAC heroism Retail settings need to be kept at temperatures with customers inside – it’s an important part of providing and overall agreeable experience – especially in food storage settings. Tools like programmable thermostats will adjust heating and cooling based on store hours and occupancy, ensuring temperatures aren’t unnecessarily altered outside of operating hours.    Again, much like fridges regular maintenance is your friend when it comes to HVAC systems. Older, less functional systems will work harder to set temperatures, therefore expending more energy. Filter cleanings and duct inspections will go a long way!   Zoning your HVAC applications across the store setting can also be useful, ensuring heating and cooling is only enacted the right way based on the specific needs of each area.   Proper insulation and ventilation Properly ventilating the setting and allowing for good ventilation during the summer can make all the difference. Make sure to invest in both fast fix solutions and more permanent alterations to the business fabric. These changes will work in conjunction with HVAC improvements to make a significant difference to temperature-based expenditure.    Changing tariffs or going renewable While not strictly a form of business energy conservation, changing tariffs or leaning into renewable energy, such as wind power, could be the adjustment that your business needs financially. The former could illuminate that you’ve been paying inflated costs, while the latter is more energy-efficient and sustainable by nature!  For more information about how changing tariffs or leaning into renewable energy could benefit your retail business, please contact our team!

Committing almost £5 billion worth of investment to help businesses across the UK achieve net zero, the UK government has committed to supporting businesses, big and small, make the changes they need to go green. With green energy incentives such as funding grants and schemes, businesses can access the financial support they need to make big changes. In this blog, uncover how you can access this financial support and what it can do for business, big or small.   Sustainability funding for small businesses For small businesses in the UK, there’s a range of options for financial support. The UK government has created their Find a Grant service, which allows businesses to search the government website for relevant grants and funding schemes. While some schemes are location-based and only applicable to certain types of businesses, the tool allows you to filter and select certain criteria, helping to pinpoint funding that your business may be eligible for. Specific local authorities may also have a budget for funding for local businesses too. Details of which can be found here.   The benefits of government-backed funding schemes By accessing green energy funding through government-backed schemes, businesses can fully embrace the transition to sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. These incentives offer numerous benefits for businesses, including: Financial support: The most obvious benefit of these schemes is the financial support they provide. By reducing the burden of initial costs, businesses have more capital available to invest in other areas of their operations. Competitive edge: In today’s society where consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainability and environmental impact, implementing green energy solutions can give businesses a competitive edge. By showcasing a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, companies can attract eco-conscious customers and potentially increase sales. Cost savings: Implementing green energy solutions often leads to cost savings. Making running  a business a little more financially viable. Particularly in times of hardship, with rising energy costs and the high cost of living, keeping costs down, such as business energy costs, is important for all businesses to stay afloat. Positive brand image: Adopting green energy practices can also improve a company’s brand image. Customers are more likely to support businesses that align with their own values and beliefs, especially when it comes to sustainability. By showcasing commitment to reducing environmental impact, companies can build a positive reputation and gain customer loyalty. Meeting regulations and targets: Many countries have set goals for carbon neutrality or reducing emissions by a certain date. By embracing green energy solutions, businesses can stay ahead of potential future regulations and meet these targets early on.   While there may not currently be support available for your business, it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for latest updates and new schemes from the government. And, with a new Labour government in power, there’s certainly potential for updated financial support to be added to the list of current grants.   If you’re currently struggling with your business energy payments or would like more advice, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team at D-ENERGi. We can supply you with a free quote or advice and guidance to help you cover your energy payments.