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Running a small business, whether you have your own cafe, boutique clothing store, repair shop, or florist, is not always easy. There’s lots to consider and plan for, and with a small team this can create a number of jobs for one or two people to juggle. One of the biggest challenges for small business owners is managing finances and keeping on top of this.  When it comes to managing business expenses like water, electricity, and gas, it is important to plan and prepare for increases and unexpected bills. Not only will this allow you to budget and avoid nasty surprises, you will be preventing these unexpected expenses from creating any damaging holes in the company wallet.   Why might you incur an unexpected expense?  Unexpected expenses can come from just about anything and anyone. Business expenses are guaranteed and are required to be paid in order to keep your business running. Although expenses like rent and business insurance are important, in this blog we are focusing on business utilities, which includes bills like energy and water.  Despite paying monthly for your business energy, it is not uncommon for business energy bills to rise and fall. The same can also be said for water bills. When your demand and usage for electricity, gas, and water increases, so too do your bills.  During uncertain times, such as a cost of living crisis or the global energy crisis that occurred between 2021-2023, energy costs can and will quickly change. Your business energy rates are therefore subject to change unexpectedly. Although business energy suppliers will give you some notice, market changes can happen overnight and may require a big increase to your monthly payments. Having some awareness of the risks that the market can pose on your expenses is important for ensuring you have some money put aside in case of such events.   Monitoring your small business energy charges  Monitoring your small business energy charges is important for a number of reasons: It can help you to identify areas where you can reduce your energy consumption, which can save you money on your bills. It can help you to identify any unusual spikes in your energy usage, which could be indicative of a problem with your equipment or infrastructure. It can help you to track your energy consumption over time, which can help you to set realistic energy efficiency targets. There are a number of ways to monitor your small business energy charges. One simple way is to keep track of your energy bills over time. This will give you a good idea of how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you. Another way to monitor your energy usage is to install a smart meter. Smart meters are devices that track your energy consumption in real time. They can be installed on your electricity and gas meters, and will provide you with a detailed breakdown of your energy usage by appliance or area of your business. This information can be particularly useful in helping you identify specific areas of your business where you may be able to cut down on energy usage and lower your energy costs overall.    Government support for small businesses While there are options for small businesses to help tackle unexpected costs, the UK government also offer a number of services and schemes to support small businesses. For example, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme which is currently running until April 2024. We have provided further information about applying for the scheme and the support offered on our blog.

As a business owner, you may have a lot on your plate running your small business. From managing employees and finances to marketing and sales, the list can seem endless. Amidst these tasks, one aspect that often gets overlooked is energy consumption. In our latest blog we will offer some tips on how to pay close attention to your business’ energy usage, and also provide our advice on what to do if you are currently dealing with rising energy bills.    Why your energy usage is so important  Energy consumption is an integral part of running a small business, and it impacts your bottom line in more ways than one. Energy is a significant expense for most businesses. The cost of electricity, gas, and other forms of energy can grow quickly and significantly impact your monthly budget.  Moreover, being mindful of your energy usage can also have a positive  impact on the environment. By reducing your energy consumption, you can decrease your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.   How to determine your business’ energy usage The first step in understanding how much energy your small business is using is to track and monitor it. This can be done through utility bills and by paying attention to the equipment and appliances you use on a daily basis.  However, thanks to the wonders of digital technology we can now also review energy usage with a handy smart meter. A device that allows you to see your energy consumption in real-time. With a digital display you can choose to see for yourself how much energy your appliances use but also how much this will cost you. At D-ENERGi we have been supporting the smart meter roll out, providing our business energy customers with installations and set up, more here.  Another way to determine your energy usage is by conducting an energy audit. This involves a professional auditor coming into your business premises and evaluating your business’ energy efficiency and identifying areas where improvements can be made. These energy audits can provide you with a wealth of information and advice on how to reduce your consumption and save money. If you’re struggling to identify areas of your business where you may be able to save, we would recommend an energy audit.    What to do with rising energy bills If your energy bills are continuously rising, one of the first things you should be doing is addressing your energy consumption. Being able to pay close attention to your usage and reduce the use of particular appliances or machinery, in periods when they are not required, will make a big difference to your energy bills.  If you are concerned about your energy usage or do not understand the information provided on your energy bills, contact the D-ENERGi team for advice and guidance.

Creating a budget and knowing how you will implement it into your everyday business practices is an important and effective way to keep your business energy costs low. Having a clear idea of how much you want to and can afford to spend on electricity and gas over a specific period of time (daily, weekly, monthly) will help you  to ensure you are not overspending and provide you the perfect opportunity to implement energy saving solutions into your business.   Review previous energy bills and business finances  To start the process of creating your business “energy budget” you should be careful reviewing your company finances from years prior. Taking a close look at your average spending and your annual revenue will help you to seriously consider how much you should be spending on energy and identify periods where you may have been overspending.    Identify your energy usage trends Once you have a good understanding of your past energy spending, you need to identify your energy usage trends. This means looking at your energy bills over time to see how your usage has changed. Are you using more energy during certain times of the year? Are there certain days of the week when you use more energy? Once you understand your trends, you can start to develop strategies to reduce your energy consumption.   Set realistic energy goals Once you know your energy usage trends, you can start to set realistic energy goals. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, also known as SMART targets. For example, you might set a goal of reducing your energy consumption by 10% in the next year. At this point you can decide on a realistic figure for how much your company can spend on energy over the course of a time frame. Although it is not possible to predict the energy markets, this figure can be the maximum amount you plan to spend per year.   Look at ways to reduce your energy consumption  In order to keep within your budget, you should consider ways to reduce your energy consumption. There are a number of great and easy solutions for this that will help you. More tips and tricks for businesses can be found on our blog.  Plus, taking the time to review your budget regularly and pay close attention to your consumption will allow you greater control over your spending. A business smart meter is one of the best methods for monitoring energy usage. Find out more about the smart meter roll out here.

As a business owner, you have countless responsibilities and important tasks to prioritise. It’s little surprise that often, reviewing your company’s energy supply may be low on your to-do list. However, just like personal finances or taxes, reviewing your business energy supply each year is vital for your bottom line. Although you may not be looking to change energy suppliers, it is always worth taking a look at current rates and tariffs and identifying areas where you could be saving your business money. With this in mind, here’s why you should review your business energy supply each year.   Identify Cost Savings Reviewing your business energy supply can help you identify where you are overspending and therefore provide opportunities for cost savings. For example, a business might notice that its heating or air conditioning usage spikes during certain times of the day. By analysing this information, business owners and managers can potentially adjust the company’s schedule to reduce energy usage during peak times, without sacrificing comfort or productivity. You may also notice that your current energy supplier is overcharging you, or there are better rates out there. Annual reviews of your energy usage and payments provides the perfect opportunity to consider changing suppliers.    Choosing the Right Plan Businesses can find themselves stuck with the wrong energy plan or supplier if they never review their options. Energy plans and rates can frequently change over time with the addition of new products or if there are changes in company energy usage patterns. You may find that by shopping around, you can find a better plan or provider that saves you money and better suits your business needs. It is worth speaking with your energy supplier if you do notice any changes or better deals as they can often provide solutions to help mitigate any issues with your current energy tariff or deal. If you are a D-ENERGi business energy customer and would like to discuss your current tariff, contact our team here.    Environmental Benefits Apart from savings for your business, reviewing your energy supply each year can also help you evaluate your carbon footprint and contribute to helping the environment. With sustainable energy sources becoming more accessible and popular, reviewing your options with an energy provider that focuses on renewable energy can be a smart decision for your company. You may also find it is the right time to make the switch to a smart business energy meter. Which will allow you greater opportunity to review your usage and spending in real time.    Making a Compelling Case for Change Convincing management of the need for change regarding energy usage or provider can be difficult without clear evidence and data on the impact of any potential changes. Reviewing your energy supplies each year allows you to keep reports and comparative data, which can be used when you need to show relevant decision-makers what can be done to optimise efficiencies in your business. Having the data to back up your argument is the best way to win over your management team.    In conclusion, reviewing your energy supply each year is vital to ensuring your business is running efficiently and at a cost-effective rate. It can bring many benefits and potentially save your company money. Given the benefits and potential savings, reviewing your business energy supplies should not be neglected on your to-do list.

Improving the energy efficiency of a hotel you run or own is a great way to save money and reduce the carbon footprint of your business. Not only does this help to reduce business costs but it helps to save the planet too! Since a hotel is unlike any other type of business there are several steps, some of which unique to the hospitality industry, that you can take to make sure that your hotel runs as efficiently as possible. In this blog we offer some top tips for hotel businesses, with advice on how to apply some of the simplest methods for reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency within a hotel.   Consider all areas of the hotel from the bedrooms to the kitchen  Energy efficiency should start in the key areas of your hotel but should become a focus within every aspect and area of the establishment. From the guest rooms through to the kitchen and staff areas. Good energy-saving practices should be carried out throughout.  In areas where guests are not permitted, staff can ensure an energy saving culture is created. This can include teams of people making sure that lights and appliances are switched off when necessary. As well as overseeing the proper use of appliances and making sure that these are serviced regularly.    Installing Energy Efficient Technologies  Introducing  energy efficient technologies can make a big difference to the overall energy usage of your hotel. Technologies such as LED lighting, solar panels and automatic heating systems are all great options for reducing energy expenditure. As well as offering long-term savings in terms of costs, they also help to significantly reduce carbon emissions which is great news for the environment!  These technologies can also have  additional benefits such as improved comfort for guests and staff. For example, LED lighting can provide a brighter, cleaner light than traditional bulbs and solar panels can help to heat hot water. If you’re considering introducing energy efficient technologies into your hotel it’s important to do research and find out which are most suitable for your needs.   Educating Guests on Energy In the guest rooms, energy-efficient lighting can be installed which is not only more cost effective but also gives off a more pleasant light. Guests should also be encouraged to switch lights and appliances off when they are not in use or when they leave their room for extended periods of time. For most hotels, laundry has become a hugely expensive and large consumer of energy. This is why you may have already seen some hotels requesting guests use their provided hotel towels for more than one day. This way the hotels can cut down on the amount of energy used for washing and drying.   Regular Inspections and Maintenance  Regular inspections and maintenance of your hotel’s energy systems are also important to ensure that they are running at their most efficient levels. Any potential problems should be looked into and fixed as soon as possible in order to avoid expensive repairs or replacements later on. This can include anything from checking insulation to making sure air conditioning units are serviced.  Making your hotel energy efficient is not only good for business but also important for the planet. By focusing on reducing energy consumption and implementing energy saving technologies, hotels can help to reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability. With some thought and effort any hotel can become more eco-friendly and reap the rewards in terms of savings. Creating  an energy efficient hotel is a great way to ensure the future of your business and the planet.

Restaurants require a lot of energy in order to make meals, serve customers, and simply stay open. From heating food, to lighting the restaurant, electricity and gas are both massive costs for restaurant businesses. In fact, electricity and gas make up a large majority of the outgoings of a restaurant. While the rest of the world looks at ways to go green and switch to renewable energy, you may be wondering how, as such a large consumer of energy, you can improve the energy efficiency of your restaurant business. With our years of experience supplying energy to business energy customers, we have compiled some of our tips. Which have been tailored specifically for restaurants and food service business owners.   Invest in energy saving commercial appliances  Ovens, hobs, grills, fryers and all other electrical cooking appliances in your commercial kitchen are bound to use large amounts of energy. By investing in energy saving appliances you can reduce your energy consumption, cut your business energy bills, all while improving the efficiency of your restaurant.  When shopping for new commercial kitchen appliances you should pay close attention to their efficiency rating or energy label. A rating of between A-G is given to each appliance and gadget and helps you to identify the most energy efficient products on the market. More information about the ranking of appliances can be found here. However, it is important to note that this labeling system is often updated and revised, so keeping up to date with changes is important.   Switch to LEDs for lighting  If your restaurant requires modernisation or you work out of an older building, it would certainly be worth considering switching your current lighting to LEDs. LED bulbs provide  a brighter atmosphere and use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs. This makes for a simple and very effective change that will allow you to save energy, money and reduce the carbon footprint of your restaurant.   Monitor your energy usage  Paying close attention to your energy usage will also help in ensuring that your restaurant is energy efficient. Being able to oversee how much energy you are consuming each day or even each hour will allow you to make even the smallest of changes, like cutting down on the use of certain appliances or switching off energy demanding electrical goods that are not needed.  One of the best ways you can do this is by using a smart meter for businesses. At D-ENERGi we are supporting the roll-out of smart meters across the UK for businesses, and can assist you in the installation and set up of a new smart meter. If you are a D-ENERGi business customer and would like more information about a business smart meter for your restaurant, do not hesitate to contact us.