Running a larger business means spinning a lot of plates, many of which require energy expenditure. As your facilities grow and you hire more staff, you’re going to have to keep more lights on, operate more desktops, run larger HVAC systems and so much more. Large business energy consumption is always going to be harder to reduce energy costs.
Small businesses can also struggle with this, but keeping things moving in large businesses’ operations naturally takes more effort and consideration. This blog will offer advice on business energy conservation, even if you’re running a more substantial operation.
Conduct energy audits and data analysis
If you’re operating in the realm of high-energy consumption businesses like manufacturing , the public administration or printing, among others, tools enacting detailed energy audits is always a smart move. This will break down the energy inefficiency across a business’s operations. Similarly, other tools like Energy Monitoring Systems (EMS) can provide consumption data at a granular level.
Analysing usage data and comparing it to KPIs is essential for larger businesses, as things can easily get lost in translation without careful analysis. Bringing in smart meters, IoT equipment and using an energy consumption calculator is a great way to set up better data collection.
Effective strategies to reduce energy consumption
Businesses of any size should consider optimising their physical workplace to reduce energy consumption, whether working across sites or in one place. Some of the typical building upgrades that can make a difference to your consumption levels include:
Smart HVAC controls: Regular system maintenance, along with locational zoning to ensure proper heating and cooling situationally
Proper ventilation wherever possible
LED lighting: Upgrading lighting to LED systems, installing occupancy sensor and adding daylight harvesting systems
Improving the building envelope: Improve insulation, sealed air leaks and more energy-efficient windows and doors
Installing reflective cool roofing: This reduces solar heat absorption
Insulation and lighting are the most controllable and impactful things about your building in terms of energy expenditure. Some of these things might require a significant initial investment, but they’ll all save you money in the long run.
Create an energy-efficient culture of accountability
To effectively manage large business energy consumption, create a clear, standardised culture of accountability and energy management. This means creating dedicated positions for energy mindfulness in every department of the business and properly educating employees about consumption at all levels of the operation.
Make sure that the company is clued up about:
Energy-efficient equipment purchasing
Regular appliance and equipment maintenance
Turning off and unplugging idle equipment
Analysing production lines and optimising manufacturing (when relevant)
Any overarching sustainability initiatives
Make responsible consumption part of your company culture to keep all the moving parts accountable.
Embracing renewable energy
Switching your business electricity providers to embrace renewable energy can be a great way to reduce energy consumption in large businesses. Lowering consumption could be as simple as finding a provider that offers alternative fuel sources, as they are, by nature, better for the environment and generally less tough on the wallet.
Conclusion
Reducing energy consumption in large businesses is a multifaceted approach that involves energy audits, energy-efficient upgrades, cultural change and renewable energy adoption. For more insights into energy efficiency and sustainability, visit our blog today.
If you’re ready to find the right energy supplier to help reduce your energy bills, get a free, no-obligation quote, visit our get a quote page.
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There are around 17,000 care homes in the UK and they all need a reliable supply of energy. However, care home energy concerns can get in the way of proper care provision, especially with public spending declining regularly. The challenges facing care homes span far and wide, especially in the case of non-profit and NHS-run organisations.
In this piece, we’re going to focus on the concerns surrounding energy when running a care home, expanding on why they’re so relevant and offering some insight into how they might be solved.
Fixed budgets
Having a limited budget is a widespread concern, especially in council-run care homes. Countless different elements contribute to care home energy costs, making it hard for smaller operations to keep up with bills. Alongside energy bills, care homes also have to pay for:
Staffing different departments
Food for residents and staff
Building mortgages/rent
Any entertainment elements (TV packages/streaming services)
Rare & regular care home maintenance jobs
Keeping up with all of these costs, alongside energy bills, can be challenging with a smaller budget. Having to prioritise certain elements over others is a painful process that will ultimately have a negative impact on the residents.
Comfort & climate
The elderly residents of care homes are far more vulnerable to low temperatures, which can drive up energy bills considerably. Running a care home requires warmth, and with heating bills impacting everyone in the country, the crisis is particularly impactful on these operations.
Maintaining quality of care
As touched upon above, running a care home involves a lot of moving parts, which is why energy bills amid the crisis can make it a lot harder to maintain a certain standard of care. Being under financial instability makes it harder for care homes to operate in general, which in turn can discourage people from choosing specific homes, contributing to a cycle of financial strife.
Tips for combatting rising care home energy costs
With energy costs so high, it’s important to understand how to become more efficient when running a care home. This will make it easier to manage the bills and ensure high level of care quality.
Invest in better insulation for the property – it will cost money in the short term but save on the amount of heating required in the long run
Use smart technology such as smart LED lightbulbs, thermostatic radiator valves and smart thermostats to minimise unnecessary consumption
Generally installing more energy efficient appliances and technologies, such as kettles (sure to see a lot of action in a care home!)
Switch to a greener energy source such as solar or wind power – these renewable sources are generally cheaper and more efficient
If you’re facing challenges with a care home energy budget, it could be time to switch tariffs to a different provider. By choosing a business energy provider like D-ENERGi, you could find a more sustainable, more competitive priced alternative to your current provision. Check out our site for more information and keep caring!
Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!
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As a small business, keeping your head above water in terms of finances can be quite a task, especially in the early stages of development. With half of all new businesses ending within the first three years, smaller enterprises must do whatever they can to reduce overheads within reason. Simultaneously, sustainability is more important to UK consumers than ever before. With both these facts in mind, small business energy efficiency is something that all operators should be mindful of.
This guide will offer some valuable insights into how to be energy efficient as a small business, whether transforming an office or warehouse space.
Benefits of energy efficiency for small business operations
If you’re on the fence about whether to implement a small business energy efficiency program, it’s important to consider the benefits it could have on your operation.
Cost savings: Being energy efficient is directly related to saving costs on gas and electric bills.
Increased sustainability: Beyond doing good for the planet, increasing sustainability is also a great way to enhance brand reputation.
Eligibility for grants: There are several energy efficiency grants for small businesses, allowing for refurbished technology at discounted rates.
How to achieve small business energy efficiency
Conducting energy audits/mindful observation
Having a professional audit done is a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses in terms of energy efficiency, such as:
Draughts/air leaks
Insulation issues
Outdated lighting
Faulty HVAC systems
In terms of increased mindfulness, tools like Smart Meters are a great way to better observe your energy consumption, allowing you to make strategic decisions in real-time.
Lighting adjustments
The most obvious lighting adjustment is to replace incandescent bulbs with LED lighting, known to use up to 75% less energy. Another system for increasing efficiency is time/movement-sensitive lighting sensors, ensuring only occupied rooms are being lit during working hours. Finally, simply embracing natural light when and wherever possible can enhance efficiency.
Using renewable energy
Renewable energy is known for having a better return on investment (ROI) than energy derived from fossil fuels, while also often having a much lower emissions profile. For example, wind energy can be 100% renewable and produce no emissions, while offering a cheap and effective alternative to fossil fuels. Business owners can also generate their energy if they invest in built-in turbines or solar panels.
Choosing a new business energy supplier
Finding the right supplier could be crucial for small business energy efficiency in financial terms. With a better tariff and price point, you could easily get more for your money, enhancing your energy efficiency.
To request competitive energy prices and potentially find a new business supplier, visit our website today. We’re committed to keeping business owners and management in the know when it comes to efficiency and getting the most for their money.
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In the current UK business landscape, becoming sustainable is increasingly important. For many business owners, measuring energy performance is crucial for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and meeting regulatory requirements. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to measure energy performance by breaking down the key metrics and indicators, so you have a clearer understanding of your business’ energy performance.
The importance of energy performance
Before we delve into the key metrics, it’s important to understand how energy performance affects a business and how it is measured. Energy performance is simply a measure of how efficiently businesses use energy in the workplace. Your business building is measured on energy performance through an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.
Understanding EPC ratings
An EPC rating is a key measurement used to measure a business’ energy performance. EPC ratings are graded between A- G on overall performance. Grade A means your premise is very energy efficient, and a G rating indicates your premise is less efficient.
An accredited energy assessor can provide you with your EPC rating. Having a higher rating is important as it reflects on your businesses sustainability image, and it can extend the building’s lifespan, boosting its value.
If your workplace currently has a low EPC rating, there are ways to enhance energy performance to improve this.
Conducting an energy audit to review your energy performance
A key way to review your energy performance is through an energy audit. This can give you key insights into your workplace energy performance and offer ways to improve your energy efficiency.
What does a business energy audit do?
An energy audit assesses how your business uses energy and identifies areas for improvement to enhance efficiency and improve overall energy performance. An audit examines key metrics and measurables, below are some examples.
Key metrics and measurables
Energy cost: Refers to the financial cost of energy for your premises.
Carbon emissions: This assesses your businesses environmental impact, through tracking your energy waste.
Energy consumption: Refers to measuring the overall amount of energy that your building uses.
Energy intensity: This refers to the amount of energy used per unit of production.
An energy audit helps to track these key metrics, and suggests areas of improvement to improve your overall energy efficiency. By implementing the suggestions from your audit, you can help your business become more sustainable and energy efficient.
Business smart meters
A business smart meter allows you to track your energy usage, allowing you to see exactly how you’re using your energy and provides insight into how changes could be made.
Smart meters allow you to have greater control over your businesses energy usage, providing key information into spending and usage.
For more information about smart meters and would like to register one, please contact our team.
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As any business owner will know, making a wise investment needs to deliver some sort of return. Whether this is a financial reward or growth opportunity.
As the world turns its attention to the ever-growing demand for green energy sources, businesses can play a significantly influential role in the change we can make as a society towards becoming more sustainable. Some of the biggest businesses in leading industries have already made a conscious effort to make a switch to green energy, investing in green energy projects and schemes, as well as going green across their business operations. By doing so, there is plenty of opportunity for return on investment. In this blog we explore why going green is more than just an ethical move but also a wise financial decision for any business.
How To Invest In Green Energy
Whether big or small, there’s a wide range of options available for businesses hoping to invest into green energy. Putting the right foot forward towards a more sustainable approach to business and a healthier, greener planet.
From renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to innovations supporting the sustainable transformation of the energy sector, green energy investments work to replace fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy.
Many renewable energy providers are emerging, allowing businesses to directly invest into green energy projects. Companies can also choose to purchase renewable energy credits or carbon offsets as a way to support the development of green energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
The Financial Benefits Of Going Green
While investing in green energy may require an initial investment, it ultimately leads to long-term financial benefits for businesses. Here are just a few ways that going green can pay off financially:
Cost Savings: Switching to renewable sources of energy can result in significant cost savings over time. This is because renewable sources often have lower operating costs and do not rely on finite resources such as fossil fuels which are subject to market fluctuations.
Tax Incentives: Many governments offer tax incentives and rebates to businesses that invest in green energy. This can help offset any initial costs and make the transition more financially feasible.
Brand Reputation: Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, and many are actively seeking out companies that align with their values. By investing in green energy, businesses can improve their brand reputation and attract a larger customer base.
The Long-Term Impact
Aside from the immediate financial benefits, investing in green energy has long-term effects on both the environment and society as a whole. Reducing your business’ carbon emissions and your carbon footprint, you are contributing towards a greener planet and a healthier environment for future generations to live and grow. While the environmental impact will not happen immediately, over time the planet will benefit.
To Conclude…
This is just a few examples of how to invest into green energy and the reasons why. In order to benefit from the ROI of green energy investment, now is a great time to reconsider your approach to business energy and make a positive impact on the environment.
Get in touch with our friendly team to discover D-ENERGi 100% UK Wind Power and get advice on switching to renewable energy for your business.
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With some big changes incoming, we’re taking a closer look at how developments in government, new leadership, policies and legislation can have a direct impact on energy prices and thus your business’ energy bills.
The Factors That Affect Your Business Energy Prices
Firstly, let’s consider the key factors that affect your business energy prices and what you pay per month or per year.
The global energy market – Fluctuations in the global market can lead to significant shifts in energy costs for businesses, impacting their operating expenses and bottom line.
Rising international prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, driving up energy bills
Network charges impacting energy bills
Energy supplier operating costs and margins influencing prices
Energy and climate change policies aimed at:
Delivering low-carbon, secure, and affordable energy supplies
Helping households and businesses save energy
Supporting low-income and vulnerable consumers
Policies Introduced By The Government
Renewable Energy Project Approval: The government recently greenlit a massive offshore wind farm project, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade. This project is expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and significantly boost the renewable energy sector.
Tax Reforms on Energy Companies: A new policy has been implemented to increase taxes on fossil fuel companies while offering tax incentives for renewable energy investments. This move is designed to encourage a shift towards greener energy solutions and discourage reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have been introduced, limiting emissions from industrial plants. These regulations are set to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with pollution, showcasing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.
How These Policies Influence Business Energy Tariffs
These government policies have a direct impact on energy prices for businesses. With the introduction of renewable energy projects, there is a growing demand for clean energy sources, resulting in increased tariffs to cover the costs of implementing these projects.
Similarly, the tax reforms on energy companies can lead to higher costs being passed onto businesses in order to maintain profit margins. This also applies to environmental regulations which may require businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and processes.
Moreover, changes in government leadership and shifts in political ideologies can also affect energy prices. Different administrations may prioritise different aspects of the energy sector, resulting in policy changes that again, can impact business energy tariffs
What You Can Do To Manage Your Gas & Electricity Costs
While little can be done to change the external influences on your gas and electricity bills, there are things you can do to manage your business energy costs:
Changing Business Energy Suppliers
One of the first things you can do is shop around for the best deal. Conduct a thorough comparison of business energy suppliers to find the best tariff for your specific needs. Look beyond just the price and consider factors such as customer service, stability, and renewable energy options offered by each supplier.
Stability would be key, especially in times of economic or political uncertainty. A well-established energy provider may be a more reliable provider when times are uncertain.
Additional Cost-Saving Strategies
As well as switching business energy suppliers and shopping for the best deal, there are many other cost-saving strategies a business can undertake. from making energy efficiency upgrades to business premises to simply conducting an energy audit, these measures and steps can make a big difference to your business energy bills. Helping to cut your costs and to future-proof your business for the future of clean energy.
Conduct an energy audit of your business
Energy-efficiency upgrades
Investment into renewable energy
Use a smart meter for businesses to track your energy consumption in real-time
If you would like more information about renewable energy such as 100% UK wind power or would be interested in receiving a free quote form D-ENERGi for your business energy, do not hesitate to get in touch.
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