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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.

The work towards a clean energy future has well and truly begun. With the efforts of individuals, businesses, organisations, and governments combined, we can work to achieve a cleaner, greener future. Taking small steps now will help to make a real difference to your business in the long term. Not only helping you save money but the planet too! This list of energy efficient products for businesses make for the perfect investment for your business as you work to improve your stance on sustainability and your carbon footprint.   Energy saving appliances  To cut carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption, business owners should consider updating, renovating, and investing in energy saving appliances.  With manufacturers utilising new technologies, there are now a wide range of eco-friendly appliances and electrical devices to replace old and slow business assets. This includes air conditioners and heating units, printers, monitors, computers, and LED lighting.  Here are some ways you can modernise and replace old appliances with new to improve the energy efficiency of your business:    Switch to LED lightbulbs: LEDs are much more energy efficient than older incandescent bulbs, so replacing your lighting with LED bulbs can drastically reduce your energy consumption. Additionally, the longer lifespan of LED bulbs means that you won’t have to replace them as often.  Install a programmable thermostat: Thermostats are a great  way to manage your business’s energy consumption. A programmable thermostat can be set to adjust the temperature based on the time of day, so you won’t have to worry about leaving the air conditioning or heat running when it’s not necessary. Plus, you will have greater control over the average temperature of the office, making sure this is set to a consistent but workable temperature. When shopping for new appliances, look for models that are Energy Star rated for the highest possible energy efficiency. By replacing old equipment with newer high-efficiency models, you can save a significant amount of money on your monthly bills and reduce your business’s environmental impact at the same time.    Environmental taxes, reliefs and schemes for businesses For businesses who want to invest in energy saving appliances and energy efficient technology, the government offers tax reliefs and schemes to support you financially. Allowing even the smallest of businesses to make a change towards a green future.  Currently, the UK government offers capital allowances when you buy energy efficient and low-carbon technology for your business. This means the amount of tax you pay on these goods will be reduced. You can find out more about these and the eligibility criteria here. For further support with your business energy bills and current usage, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team. We can discuss your current contract, offer solutions for reducing usage, and supply you with a business smart meter for closer monitoring of your energy usage and accurate billing.

Energy drift explained:  Energy drift is a phenomenon that occurs when the amount of energy consumed by a business or other organisation exceeds the amount of energy allocated for its usage. It can happen due to faulty equipment, inefficient use of resources, and incorrect pricing or billing practices. Energy drift has the potential to significantly increase operating costs and reduce profits. It can also have serious environmental ramifications, as excess  energy use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.   How energy drift occurs Energy drift will occur when there are energy inefficiencies within your building. This could be due to general building design flaws, including errors within the construction process or smaller inefficiencies like faulty and malfunctioning electrical equipment.    Over time the more energy drift occurs, the greater impact this will have on the energy efficiency of your building. It has been estimated that within several years, energy drift can decrease the efficiency of your building’s systems by 10 to 30 percent. Since not all businesses have the funds or privilege to perfectly monitor and assess energy efficiency performance, it can often be difficult to manage the occurrence of energy drift. However, this does not mean there are no solutions to address energy drift and combat its effects on your business.   Solutions for energy drift  To prevent and address energy drift, it is important to conduct regular energy audits of your energy usage to identify areas of weakness or inefficiency. This can involve analysing energy bills for discrepancies, running diagnostic tests on equipment, and performing periodic maintenance on air conditioning and heating systems. Energy audits can be carried out in several ways, either by a member of your own team or by a third party auditor. More details on energy audits can be found here.  By using the energy audit you can identify the areas that are causing your building to experience energy drift and an increase in energy consumption. This could include the insulation of your building or your electrical systems requiring maintenance to improve the energy efficiency.  There are several management techniques that will also help you to reduce energy drift in your building. This includes the use of an energy management system, better control over your HVAC, and weatherstripping.   Keep a closer eye on your energy consumption with a smart meter for business  In order to pay closer attention to the energy you are using in real-time, the installation of a business smart meter is an effective solution. Providing a clear display of your usage and how much this will be costing you. Plus, the information the smart meter records is sent directly to your energy provider, ensuring your bills and charges are accurate.  For more information about business smart meters, visit our page here, or get in touch with our team to arrange an installation.

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.

What is energy waste?  Energy waste is an accumulation of energy that has been produced but has not been used and is subsequently left for waste. While it has not been used, the creation of energy waste still produces greenhouse gas emissions and pollution which is causing greater damage to the planet.   Why should businesses be concerned about wasted energy? Businesses in particular, play a huge role in the creation of energy waste. In fact, according to research conducted over the last few years, companies across the country have wasted enough energy to power the whole of London for seven years! Costing businesses up to £30 billion annually. A shocking 30% of wasted energy is estimated to come from commercial buildings only. For businesses, these are not only worrying figures but costly ones too. Certainly setting off alarm bells in the ears of business owners and organisations who are at the forefront of the country’s mission to achieve net zero emissions.  In order to save on energy consumption and energy costs, energy waste must be a concerning factor in the development of a business’ approach to tackling the energy crisis.   The causes of energy waste  There are several different types of energy waste, but the main type of waste we are discussing is that created by businesses in commercial buildings.  This can be caused by a wide number of factors, all of which can be explained by a simple lack of understanding for preserving energy. Below are some of the key causes of business energy waste:  The use of old lighting  Slow and old technology  Issues with heating and air conditioning Poor building insulation  Excessive use of technology   Reducing energy waste in the UK  In order to reduce the amount of energy waste created within your business premises, there are several steps you can take. From creating an energy-saving culture in your workplace to investing into energy-saving solutions like LED lighting, new technology and improved insulation.    Generating a positive culture towards energy-saving amongst your employees is a great step in the right direction. Encouraging positive energy-saving behaviours such as turning off lights and technology when not in use, to setting a regulated temperature on the office thermostat. All these small changes will help to not only reduce energy consumption, but energy waste and business energy bills too.  Once you have established an energy-saving culture, you can turn your attention towards investment. With a budget available, you should consider improving your energy usage by investing in areas like lighting and insulation. Both of which will help to cut your energy consumption and minimise the amount of waste you generate as a business.  To keep a closer track of your energy usage and to ensure you are not overspending, or wasting energy, you may wish to consider a smart meter for businesses. At D-ENERGi we can arrange for you to have your smart meter installed, with the latest generation of SMETS2 or AMR meters now available. Find out more about the smart meter roll out here.