Looking ahead into 2024 : Business energy predictions for the new year 15 Dec
As we head into 2024, it’s time to look ahead and see what research predicts may be in store for us this year when it comes to business energy predictions. The good news is that new research on this front predicts that there will be a decrease in the cost of energy for businesses in 2024. This decrease will be, for the most part, as a result of the likelihood of a fall in the wholesale energy price. From September 2023 to the start of January, the wholesale price of energy has seen figures drop to a point where they are 47% lower. According to industry analysts, this fall is mainly attributed to very strong storage reserves, favourable patterns in the weather and improved supply accessibility. And whilst these same analysts may not be able to fully predict the future, it is very clear that these are all factors that will help to ride-out any shocks to the system that may happen and that will result in a market that is less volatile.   Third party costs Unfortunately, the predictions for third party costs, distribution and transition costs are that they are likely to remain at levels that are much higher when compared with any historical data. This means that any changes, even small ones, will have an impact. All in all, what this means for businesses is that whilst the total cost will fall in 2024 for their business energy usage, third party costs will be higher and ultimately bills will still be higher than they were before the price crisis.   Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) The fixed tariff for summer 2024 (April to September) was shared back in April 2023, together with the draft winter 2024 tariff. From this, we already know that the projected costs of BSUoS will be reduced over the coming year   Contracts for Difference (CfD) The Levy for CfD has had some significant fluctuations, which were to be expected. However, due to a drop in wholesale energy prices, the average CfD forecast shows a price increase; although predicting further into the future this is expected to fall in 2024/25. Moving further into the year There may be a glimmer of hope for business energy users as we look further into the future where pricing is concerned. Since April and the last TPC Guide, there has been an emergence of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme which should start having an impact. Additionally, the forthcoming review from Ofgem with regard to the non-domestic supply market is being seen as a possible turning point. This, however, will not take place until the autumn. The expectation is that the new Autumn Third Party Costs Guide will outline an accelerated pace of modifications and some significant code reviews. The hope is that whilst this may not have much of an impact in 2024, if we look towards 2024/2025 it is possible to predict that a number of third party costs should experience a decrease. There may also be a range of fluctuations and possible changes as well as some increase to TPCs.   For the latest energy tariffs, do get in touch with D-ENERGi for the expertise and experience. For more energy saving tips and advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your business premises, check out more of our D-ENERGi blogs.
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Tips for Finding the Cost-effective Business Electricity Rates 12 Dec
Are you concerned that you might be paying an excessive amount on your business electricity bill? It is crucial to understand the components of your bill, such as the business electricity per kWh and other charges, in order to assess whether you’re getting the best deal. If you’re uncertain how the energy bill was calculated. We’ll explain the standing charge and unit rate of the energy bill. To ensure that you’re securing the most cost-effective business electricity rates per kwh, here are four tips to consider: Standing charge Regardless of how much gas or electricity you use, your standing charge will not adjust to your consumption as it is a fixed amount that you are charged each day. This typically £ per day, or pence per day subject to the size of your meter. Unit rate this is the price you agree to pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy, this will make up most cost of your bill. OFGEM have made it mandatory for electricity suppliers to display your contract end date, notice period and the electricity per kWh being charged and other factors which contribute to the cost of your electricity bill. Tip 1 Have you just recently moved into the business premises? Business electricity per kWh rates are cheapest when you have an arranged agreement in place. If you do not have an agreement in place rates are typically double. A fixed tariff means your unit rates halt at one price for the extent of the plan – usually 12 months. Your rates would not change regardless of an increase in wholesale prices given by your supplier as your  tariff is fixed. Tip 2 Switch suppliers. Shopping around and looking for a new supplier can benefit you greatly. You’re not obliged to stay with the same supplier forever, cheaper rates could be right in front of your eyes but you just haven’t seen them yet. Compare the business energy prices and get the cost-effective rates from other supplier, you can simply get a quote online by submitting your basic information. Switching to D-ENERGi is quick and easy, we are committed to providing excellent and extraordinary customer service to our customers. Get a free quote today. Tip 3 For you to find the cheapest electricity prices for your business can be assisted by introducing energy efficiency measurements into your business. By doing this, you can accurately see how much electricity you use and therefore you can give precise readings to your future energy provider enabling them to deliver the cheapest rates to you. You can do this by introducing: Smart Meters – Smart meters really do as they say on the tin, by installing one you will find they track your energy usage patterns and allow access to more detailed reports, you will have an idea of how much energy you are using and how you could reduce your consumption. You could also provide the usage to your provider for a quote. Half hourly electricity – is a type of electricity meter that measures how much electricity is being used every half an hour. With half hourly metering, your meter is automatically read, so there is no need for you to remember to send your meter reading to your supplier – enabling more accurate electricity bills to be delivered to you. It allows you see exactly how much electricity they are using at different times of the day, helping you to become more cost effective in using energy.   For further information of business electricity, we invite you to visit our Business Electricity page. Here, you’ll find details to help you get the best quote and switch over to D-ENERGi, Understanding your business electricity bill and actively seeking the best rates can lead to significant cost savings. If you would like to get the best quote on business electricity, please speak with our friendly Customer Services team, contact us today.
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5 Tips for Saving Business Electricity 8 Dec
It is more aware of how important it is to find ways to lower business electricity prices and improve business energy efficiency. Key to this could be finding ways to improve energy efficiency in the workplace by saving on business energy. Here are D-ENERGi’s five tips to achieve this:   Your Business Electricity Practices You’ll be surprised but making sure that lights, computers, monitors and any other electric equipment in the office is turned off and not on standby at the end of the work day can save you a big chunk of change. Even something as simple as turning the radiators in your building down a single notch or ensuring the air conditioning isn’t blowing fully can see big savings across the board.   Review Your Energy Tariff Few businesses have the time or energy to put into looking for an alternative energy supply when their contract is due for renewal. As the premier business to business gas and electricity supplier, D-ENERGi are available to consolidate your energy supply into one single, hassle-free payment which can result in huge savings.   Inform Your Staff It’s imperative that your staff are made aware of the importance of being energy efficient. Engaging with your staff – whether via a talk or signs and posters around the premises – can ensure they understand why turning off lights and appliances can help the business become greener.   Energy Champion If your business has tried to put some of these measures in place but staff are still forgetting to switch off, asking for a volunteer Energy Champion could be a great idea. The onus will be on them to ensure that everything is off at the end of the day and can also be responsible for you meeting energy saving targets.   Maintain Your Premises Ensuring your business premises is in great condition can mean big savings for your business. This means that draughty windows are replaced with double glazing, doors are fitted to keep the cold out and heat in, and leaky taps and pipes are secured. Making these subtle changes can result in big savings on your business energy bills. Just making these simple changes and practices across your business premises can result in big reduction of business energy prices. We always available to provide advice and assistance on tailormade solutions, improve energy efficiency and reduce your business energy prices. Get the best business electricity rates from us or call us on 0800 781 7626 today for more information.
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Are Smart Lighting Solutions The Smart Option For Your Business Energy Consumption? 21 Nov
Just about everything is becoming smart. From home devices to TVs, doorbells, and even vacuum cleaners. With the technology available to make any typical domestic and commercial appliance ‘smart’, even the tools we use to control heat and lighting have become smart. Now we are seeing the rise of smart lighting, both in homes and in businesses. With the use of smart light bulbs. But what benefits do they provide and are they really the smartest option when it comes to saving you money?   How to utilise smart lighting in workplaces  In order to get the most out of smart lighting, it’s a good idea to think about how best to apply this to your business. But first, consider how exactly does smart lighting work? And what makes it different to traditional bulbs like LEDs?  Smart bulbs are actually a variation of an LED bulb. They are simply internet-connected. Making them a much more customisable lighting option. Smart bulbs can be accessed both manually but also by mobile devices via brand applications. These apps allow users to customise their lighting usage down to very specific requirements, such as the colour of the bulb, brightness, timing of the light being on or off. With accessibility via an app, this also means that lighting throughout the building, wherever it may be, can be controlled off-site.   The benefits of smart lighting for business For businesses the option to switch bulbs to smart bulbs provides a number of benefits.  From gaining even greater control over the usage of lighting, to controlling the intensity of lighting and creating the perfect working environment.  For businesses looking to cut back on their energy consumption, smart bulbs allow time scheduling and the ability to control lighting from outside the room. So, on one of those days where you’re rushing to get home from work and forget to switch off the lights, you can simply access the bulb via the mobile app and turn off the lights, from home, the supermarket, the kids’ school or just outside the building. Plus, being able to schedule your lighting use means when the lights don’t need to be on or very bright, you can control this, helping to minimise energy waste and cut back your business energy costs.  What’s more, with this added control you can create a working environment that is comfortable but encourages productivity for your employees. Many studies into the working environment and how lighting can impact a person’s productivity levels have been conducted. With results highlighting that lighting that matches the typical movement of the sun throughout the day, from brightness to positioning, has a positive effect on a person’s ability to focus. With many employees found to struggle when working in very brightly lit environments.    Factors to consider when going smart As with all IoT products, smart bulbs do come with some concerns. Particularly if you consider the security of these technologies. While we continue to see developments within the security of new IoT devices, it is vital that you pay attention to the vulnerabilities of your chosen smart lighting solution. Considering how it may put your business at risk of attacks. Some good ways to avoid putting your business at risk are to do your research and to keep your smart bulbs and other smart devices connected to a separate network that would not allow access to any of your business’ financial and sensitive data.  Switching to smart LED light bulbs isn’t essential but in conclusion it can certainly offer your business some benefits and give you greater control over your energy usage. Meanwhile, for those who are yet to be convinced by smart devices, simply switching traditional bulbs to standard LED bulbs is an excellent way to improve the energy efficiency of your business and cut your energy costs.  For more smart devices, why not consider a business smart meter? Monitor your energy consumption, spending and more in a simple and easy-to-use way. For more energy saving tips and advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your business premises, check out more of our D-ENERGi blogs.
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Weatherproofing Your Business: Sealing Air Leaks and Preventing Heat Loss 7 Nov
A weatherproof business premises is one that has undergone the necessary work to prevent damage and improve the energy efficiency of the building. Weatherproofing can include a number of separate tasks that will come together to secure the building against external factors such as strong winds, heavy rain, frost, snow, and hail. Such weather conditions, which typically occur during the coldest months of the year can have a detrimental impact on a building’s structure and design. This can include causing physical damage to the roof, causing leaks which in turn destroy internal areas of the premises, as well as heat loss, which may eventually result in a rise in energy costs.  In order to prevent the number of issues the weather can cause your building, undergoing various stages of weatherproofing is incredibly valuable.  Below are some handy tips to help you in the process of weatherproofing your business:    Seal air leaks Air leaks can occur around windows, doors, vents, and other openings in the building envelope. These leaks can allow cold air to enter the building in the winter and hot air to enter in the summer, making your HVAC system work harder and increasing your energy costs. To seal air leaks, you can use weatherstripping, caulk, or expanding foam sealant. Some of which can quite easily be applied without the assistance of an expert. By sealing these air leaks you’ll be ensuring that the heat and cool air that your HVAC systems releases is contained within the working space, helping to maintain a comfortable working temperature all year round.   Insulation in the premises Insulation is paramount for improving the energy efficiency of any building. Used to reduce heat loss and to offer a barrier between the outside and the inside. Insulation, although an expensive job, must be maintained and upgraded when it begins to age. If your business’ building is dated and perhaps centuries old, it is well worth reviewing your current insulation, perhaps identifying where you may be losing heat from within your building. Upgrading your insulation will ensure you have the right quality and thickness, guaranteeing thermal properties within your walls and roof.  You can insulate your walls with fibreglass batt insulation, spray foam insulation, or cellulose insulation. You can insulate your attic with loose-fill insulation or blown-in insulation. You can insulate your crawl spaces with rigid foam board insulation.    Weatherproof your roof Your roof is the most important part of your building envelope when it comes to weatherproofing. Helping to create a sound structure and providing plenty of protection, the roof is however the most likely to be impacted by weather conditions. Particularly in powerful storms. It is therefore important to make sure that your roof is in good condition and that there are no leaks. If your roof needs more work, this may include cleaning gutters to ensure proper drainage of rainwater and upgrades to your downspouts. All this weatherproofing will protect your building from leaks caused by heavy rain.    Although no one wants a leak, some will be under the impression that it’s just a bit of water. In fact, leaks that occur within property can cause much more damage than first thought. From damage to the walls and floors, to electrical equipment, and the risk of mould. There are many reasons to prevent leaks before they occur. This weatherproofing could potentially save you thousands in damages. Now, you may be thinking, what does this have to do with your energy costs? Well, by following these tips, you can help to weatherproof your business and improve its energy efficiency. In the long-term saving you money on your energy bills and helping to protect your building from damage. For more energy saving tips and advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your business premises, check out more of our D-ENERGi blogs.
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The Financial Advantages of Energy Efficiency 25 Oct
Energy efficiency is a proven and profitable strategy for businesses to reduce costs, increase profits, and enhance their environmental impact. By implementing energy-efficient practices and technologies, businesses can lower their energy bills, improve business efficiency, and boost their bottom line.   Reduce Energy Bills and Operating Costs Energy is a significant expense for most businesses, accounting for a substantial portion of their operating costs. By adopting energy-efficient measures, businesses can directly reduce their energy consumption, leading to lower energy bills and improved cash flow. These savings can be reinvested in other areas of the business, such as growth initiatives, employee benefits, or research and development.  By keeping energy usage low, businesses can see a significant reduction in outgoings. One way to do this is to monitor usage closely by installing a smart meter for business. A business smart meter can be supplied by a business’ business energy supplier.   Enhance Efficiency and Productivity Energy efficiency goes beyond simply reducing energy costs; it also enhances operational efficiency and productivity. By optimising energy usage, businesses can improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and minimise waste. This can lead to increased production output, improved product quality, and a more streamlined supply chain.   Boost Profit and Financial Performance The combined impact of reduced energy costs and improved efficiency directly translates into enhanced financial performance. By implementing energy-efficient strategies, businesses can increase their profit margins, improve their return on investment, and enhance their overall financial health. Preparing the business for growth and a change in attitudes towards eco-conscious buying and decision-making.    Attract and Retain Top Talent Employees, especially millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly seeking out companies that are committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Demonstrating a commitment to energy efficiency can make businesses more attractive to top talent, leading to a more engaged, productive, and innovative workforce.  Hiring the very best talent on the job market is a guaranteed way to see development within the business. Allowing the business to enjoy the benefits of enhanced performances.  Better work = better outcomes.    Enhance Brand Reputation and Customer Loyalty Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on environmental and social considerations. By adopting energy-efficient practices, businesses can enhance their brand reputation, attract environmentally conscious customers, and foster long-term customer loyalty.   Reduce Regulatory Compliance Costs With increasing environmental regulations and carbon pricing initiatives, businesses are facing the risk of rising compliance costs. By proactively addressing business energy efficiency, businesses can reduce their emissions, minimise regulatory risks, and avoid potential fines and liabilities. As we head into an increasingly environmentally-conscious world, taking these steps now can help guarantee the longevity of a business for the future and avoid being penalised later down the line.    Increase Asset Value and Property Investments Energy-efficient buildings and facilities are often valued higher in the real estate market. By investing in energy-efficient upgrades, businesses can increase the value of their assets and improve their return on investment for property investments.   Gain a Competitive Advantage In a competitive business landscape, embracing energy efficiency can provide a significant edge. Businesses that adopt energy-efficient practices can differentiate themselves from their peers, attract environmentally conscious customers, and secure a competitive advantage in the marketplace.   Contribute to a Sustainable Future By reducing their energy consumption and environmental impact, businesses can play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future. By embracing energy efficiency, businesses can contribute to mitigating climate change, conserving resources, and protecting the environment for future generations. Energy efficiency is not just a cost-saving measure; it’s a strategic investment in the future of your business. By embracing energy-efficient practices, businesses can reduce costs, increase profits, enhance their environmental sustainability, and build a more resilient and competitive organisation for the long term.
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