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Is zero carbon electricity the future? And what will this look like? With the current energy crisis causing issues for households and businesses up and down the country, many are looking at alternative sources of energy as a solution to this global problem.  With international governments looking to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the next few decades, zero carbon electricity is a genuine option available to utilise.  Green sources of electricity  By focusing on green sources of electricity, such as solar and wind power, we can reduce carbon emissions while also helping to protect our environment. This is why many companies are now investing in zero carbon electricity solutions. Zero carbon electricity can be generated through a combination of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass,  geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power. This will help to reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources of electricity such as coal and oil. Zero carbon electricity can also be generated through innovative methods such as electric vehicles charging stations, which can store excess electricity produced during the day in a battery system, ready for use when needed. How can businesses introduce carbon free electricity ? Businesses can look to introduce zero carbon energy solutions into their operations. This could involve installing solar panels or wind turbines, or investing in renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal energy and hydroelectric power.  Additionally, businesses should take a proactive approach to reducing their total electricity consumption by implementing measures such as using more efficient lighting , improving insulation and adopting other energy-saving practices. By taking the right steps, businesses can help reduce their carbon emissions while also creating new jobs and boosting their bottom line. Zero carbon electricity is a viable solution that should be considered by any business looking to become more sustainable.  D-ENERGi Trading  At D-ENERGi we offer a unique and innovative way for businesses to purchase zero carbon electricity. All electricity supplied from D-ENERGi Trading is sourced from UK wind farms. This makes our offering a unique one within the sector. Our graph, which you can see here, shows our offering compared with other major UK energy suppliers in the UK. This enables businesses to reduce their impact on the environment and save money in the long run.  To find out more about renewable energy and zero carbon options speak with our friendly team of experts today.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on energy to power businesses. If you run or manage a restaurant, bar, hotel or other popular entertainment venue, you will know just how important it is to keep energy bills low while continuing to offer regular service.  During the festive season there is greater demand for such services with Christmas parties and meals and end of year gatherings planned between families and friends. With greater demand comes an increased need for energy. During this time of economic crisis, what can hospitality businesses do to keep bills low while demand is high.  Cut energy waste in your establishment  Despite the need for energy, the hospitality sector is guilty of wasting large amounts of electricity, water, and gas each year. One way to reduce energy bills and manage consumption during the busy festive season is to cut this waste as much as possible. There are several ways you can do this:  6 Ways to reduce energy waste  Introduce lighting controls to reduce wasted electricity and switch your light bulbs to energy efficient LED bulbs. You may also wish to consider upgrading your lighting systems to be sensor activated, so they are only switched on when people are in the room and turn off once someone leaves.  In your industrial kitchens and behind your bars, opt to switch off electrical appliances that do not need to be switched on for an entire shift. For example, wait to turn on extractor fans and bar lights once customers have started ordering.  Cut down the usage of your heating systems. Often the heating and cooling systems are wasted on busy venues. Particularly in the winter when, although it’s cold outside, the heat from the hustle and bustle of your many customers does not require the additional support of a high setting on your thermostat.  Encourage your bar staff, kitchen teams, and members of the front of house team to adopt a positive attitude towards saving energy.  Ensure ventilation systems are cleaned regularly and serviced. You will not be getting the most out of your air conditioning systems if the ventilation is not cleaned or is not able to operate to 100% of its ability.  Set limits on hot water temperatures. When water is excessively heated, not only can this be costly, but dangerous too. Water does not need to be excessively hot for its intended purposes within hospitality.  While the appetite to dine out over the festive season remains high amongst consumers, some of these helpful tips may just contribute to keeping your energy bills at a regular rate.  Smart meters for hospitality businesses  To monitor and keep track of your energy during this festive season and beyond is to consider installing a smart meter for business.  Business smart meters allow you to receive accurate meter readings while displaying your real-time usage. For those working in the hospitality sector, looking for a way to take control of your company’s energy consumption, this is the ideal solution. Get in touch with the D-ENERGi team today for more information.

As the colder temperatures set in and talks of snow begin to flutter around offices and homes, winter has certainly arrived in the UK. Unfortunately the usual excitement of Christmas, New Year, and winter markets has been clouded by the current cost of living crisis and the rise in energy costs. As both households and businesses face rising bills, now is a particularly difficult time and one that requires people to take a more cautious approach to spending.  If you are a small business owner, we are sure you will certainly be feeling the pinch. And with the energy crisis set to continue into 2023, budgeting is now more essential than ever. In this latest blog, we will be offering our support to small businesses who are looking to budget for the rising costs of electricity and gas.  Creating a budget for your small business Budgeting is a vital part or running any business, and when you run a small business you’ll know that every penny counts. A budget should incorporate details about all the costs your business will incur over the next period. When creating a budget you need realistic figures, so taking into account what you have spent previously will be most beneficial.  To know how to budget with your rising energy bills in mind, it would be useful to use the past few energy bills you have received. You may also want to contact your energy supplier to discuss your direct debit payments and agree an amount that works for your business. This way you can plan for the next few months. Your budget can then be altered to review ‘what if’ scenarios, such as your energy bills increasing.  Tips for creating a budget: Consider all your costs both fixed and variable Take a look at your previous sales and use this to produce a sales forecast  Factor in any one off costs such as a large payment for a replacement item or maintenance repairs to your premises that you are aware of  Plan regular budget reviews  Put aside an emergency budget for when needed With the right approach to creating a budget for your business it is possible to budget in for the rising energy costs, however there is support available for small businesses and solutions for saving energy to reduce these bills.  How to save on energy costs during winter?  There are several steps you can take, as a small business owner, to reduce your energy consumption and thus save money on your energy bills this winter. We have touched on several of these tips in previous blogs, which you can read here. Alternatively, for additional support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team, who can support you during this time.  Support available to SMEs  Currently, there are a number of schemes and grants available via both the government and the energy suppliers for small businesses. These schemes have been designed for those businesses who can not afford to cover the rising costs of their energy bills. regulator , Ofgem, has further information about the various types of support available on their website. Guidance on the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme, provided by the government can be found here, and on our blog. 

Within the energy sector there are plenty of terms to get to grips with. As a business looking to save money on your energy bills, understanding what all these terms mean will help. One such term that you will almost certainly have come across will be EPC rating. In this latest article, we will be delving into exactly what EPC means and how this relates to businesses.  What is EPC?  An EPC or energy perform certificate is used to rate how energy efficient a building is. This is used for both domestic and commercial buildings. The ratings, as shown on the graph, are between A to G. A building with a rating of ‘A’ is considered the most efficient, and ‘G’ being the least efficient. An accredited assessor will provide an EPC certificate which is then valid for 10 years.  An EPC for a commercial building must be obtained whenever a property is built, sold or let. This is the responsibility of the building landlord or owner. So, if you are renting a commercial building, you will need to be shown the EPC certificate during the tenancy agreement process.  How an EPC is determined As mentioned above, an accredited assessor will visit a property to determine the EPC rating. They will do this by taking into account a number of factors:  The age and size of the property  The main heating systems Lighting – whether any energy saving light bulbs or low energy light bulbs are in use Windows – if you have double glazing or higher After reviewing these areas of the property, the assessor will make some calculations and provide an EPC rating using the scale mentioned above. Along with this, property owners or landlords will be provided with guidance on how to improve their property EPC if this is particularly poor.  There are some buildings that do not require an EPC according to the UK government, these include: Places of worship Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that do not use a lot of energy Some buildings that are due to be demolished Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy Listed buildings – you should get advice from your local authority conservation officer if the work would alter the building’s character Residential buildings intended to be used less than 4 months a year Goals for a net zero future  With the government’s goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the rules regarding EPC ratings are changing. Over the course of the next 10 years, these rules will become stricter for all. This is to encourage as many building owners and landlords as possible to make positive changes to the energy efficiency of their properties.  At the start of 2023, plans have been put in place for all commercial properties that are under tenancy to an EPC rating of E or better. As it stands this will require some landlords to make improvements now to meet the upcoming requirements.  How to Improve a Commercial EPC Rating Landlords and commercial property owners can improve the EPC rating of a business premises by completing several tasks. Some of the most common and effective ways to do this are: To improve the insulation of the building  Change the lighting to LED lights  Ensure double glazing is installed in all windows Draught proof the property  Switch to renewable energy sources such as solar panels  For more about EPC ratings and how to save on your business energy, why not get in touch with a member of the D-ENERGi team. We’re here to help!

At D-ENERGi we work hard to provide all our business customers with the best business energy prices. We work closely with many care homes and residential homes across the UK, to keep them warm, dry, and well-lit while offering the best rates for business energy.  Throughout the upcoming winter season, care homes will be paying close attention to energy consumption, ensuring that while residents are cared for, bills are not too high. In this latest blog we will offer our best advice to any business customers looking to save on business energy.  Take control of your business energy with a smart meter  Smart meters are not just for domestic energy customers. Business energy meters are now available for businesses across the country to take full control of their business energy. Helping to manage usage and lower prices. Not only will you be able to track your usage, but the data a smart meter for businesses provides will be automatically sent to your energy supplier, so you can be sure your bills are as accurate as can be. How to monitor your business energy consumption? If you are concerned you may be using more energy than the average company in your care home, it may be time to consider installing a business energy smart meter.  As previously mentioned, a business energy smart meter will help you monitor your energy usage, reviewing your consumption, giving you a chance to better manage your energy usage. You may also wish to speak with your energy supplier if you believe your bills are too high. It is advisable to read your bills thoroughly when you receive them to be sure the information provided is correct. If you do not understand how to read an energy bill this blog may help you. Ways to reduce your energy consumption  If you already have a smart meter installed in your care home and have noticed your energy consumption seems too high, here are some quick tips to help you better manage your energy consumption: Check the electrical appliances and the heating apparatus of your residential home to ensure these are working properly. Typically, newer appliances are far more economical.  Switch off electric equipment and tools when not in use. Although this may be difficult in a care home during winter, you may find there are many appliances that are regularly left running when not needed. This could include televisions, and radios.   Set a comfortable temperature on the thermostat and keep this regulated. Your residents will likely appreciate this also!  Create an energy saving culture amongst your employees. Encourage your care home staff to check thermostats regularly and switch off appliances between shifts. Why not speak to a member of our team for other top tips! Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!

1 – Energy efficient lighting will reduce your business electricity bills   One of the most important facts to consider about energy efficient lighting is that it helps businesses to save on lighting bills. By switching from traditional or halogen lighting in an office or other working space, businesses can save incredible amounts of energy. Here are just some of the best statistics: By switching a 75 watt incandescent light bulb to an LED light, companies could save up to £10 per bulb per year! LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than an old halogen bulb Switching to energy efficient LED bulbs could help you lower your company’s carbon footprint   2 – LEDs are the most adaptable light fitting   LED light bulbs are the most adaptable type of energy efficient light fitting. They can be used in almost all settings and are the ideal solution for replacing traditional bulbs. LED light bulbs can be used for general lighting, outdoor lighting, spotlights, dimmable lights and in chandeliers. This also makes LEDs perfect for businesses in a wide range of industries requiring various levels of lighting in a number of environments. 3 – Companies can no longer produce halogen bulbs   Lighting manufacturers are actually no longer allowed to produce and sell halogen lights. This has helped to introduce the phase out of traditional inefficient lighting and instead encourage both companies and households to make the switch to energy efficient lighting like LEDs. Where you may find halogen bulbs is in places like ovens and security lights or in a store where old stock is being sold. 4 – Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) are most commonly used in offices   For large office spaces and warehouses, businesses can opt to use LFLs, these are modern strip lights that are capable of emitting a good amount of quality light. As opposed to traditional strip lights, which didn’t offer a good lifespan, LFLs are far more energy efficient and can help businesses save on their business electricity bills. 5 – Lighting accounts for around 20% of business energy consumption   Businesses may be shocked to discover that around 20% of their energy consumption comes from lighting. In order to keep usage low and costs down, now is the perfect time to reconsider the lighting solutions your business uses and switch to energy efficient lighting, either choosing LED lights or LFLs. For more on business electricity rates and how to save your business money, read up on some of our other blogs with tips to help you cut down on your business energy consumption!