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The average energy consumption of different businesses can vary significantly based on the industry in which companies operate. This is due to significant differences in operational processes, amounts of downtime, equipment used and the buildings in which everything takes place. Before you compare business energy rates, it’s important to understand how and why certain industries will innately consume more or less energy than others.   This blog will offer a business energy comparison between various industries, highlighting where consumption differs, along with offering some tips for increasing energy efficiency in each of them.    Hotels Hotels fall into the category of high energy consumption industries for several reasons. Some studies suggest the average room in a small hotel uses 6,000 kWh of electricity and 18,000 kWh of gas a year – multiplied by the number of rooms, this makes for a hefty bill, even higher per room in larger establishments. Not to mention other factors like:    24/7 operation Hotel-wide HVAC requirements Lighting Kitchen energy consumption Massive laundry requirements   Business energy prices for hotels can be lowered with the use of smart thermostats, energy management systems, equipment/HVAC updates, eco-conscious practices and occupancy sensors. Check out this blog for further information.    Catering Trying to compare business energy rates across restaurants and catering companies depends on their sizes. Report shows that a smaller establishment will use between 15,000-25,000 kWh of electricity per year, with medium businesses using between 30,000 kWh and 50,000 kWh, with the figures being matched or exceeded in gas consumption. Catering businesses need energy for constant reasons like:    Refrigeration Cooking Ventilation Dishwashing   These costs can be lowered with more energy efficient equipment, demand-controlled ventilation, water-saving dishwashers and smarter kitchen layouts.     Manufacturing Business energy supply differs significantly between manufacturing sites, with larger, more advanced operations obviously using significant amounts more energy than smaller-scale grassroots facilities. However, it’s worth noting that average manufacturing plants spend 1-10% of their overall outgoings on energy for things like:    Heating  Machinery operation Compressed air systems   Using things like variable speed drives, optimising existing equipment, heat recovery systems and energy-efficient lighting will all make a difference.    Education The average school energy bill in 2024 was around £6,819 for 19,599 kWh, however this can vary significantly based on the number of students at a school and how advanced its facilities are. Energy consumption in schools is driven by:    Lighting Use of computer equipment HVAC In-house catering   Bills can be effectively managed with solutions like occupancy sensors, power-saving settings on computers, better insulation, and student/staff education on energy efficiency.    Retail The bright lights of retail (especially food-stocking) settings consume a lot of energy – around 700 kWh/m2 sales area in hypermarkets to more than 2000 kWh/m2 sales area in convenience stores – with refrigeration accounting for between 30% and 60% of the electricity used. Again, lighting sensors, dimmers anti-sweat heaters and other environmental technology can make a difference to the bills in these settings.    Care homes It’s easy to compare business energy tariffs in care homes. However, care homes come with unique challenges, including:    Specific temperature requirements Fixed/lower budgets Running specialised medical equipment   These settings can maintain energy efficiency largely by investing in quality equipment, practicing smart laundry techniques, training staff on energy-efficient practices and HVAC zoning between residents and employees.   Consider a new business energy supplier Whatever industry you operate in, the issue might be that you’re with the wrong supplier. You can effectively lower your bill or increase efficiency when you choose a business energy supplier with multiple options, including renewable variants like wind power. For more insights into the landscape of business energy supply, check out our blog today. Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!

Energy consumption in manufacturing industries is always high, with some businesses spending over 10% of their production costs on energy. This is a concurrent truth with the fact that companies all over the world are looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious. With this in mind, the pursuit of energy-efficient manufacturing is becoming increasingly common.    This piece will explore how to reduce energy consumption in industry settings and generally increase efficiency, touching on everything from internal processes to switching business energy suppliers.    Being with regular business energy audits Before you start making the changes that will create manufacturing energy efficiency, you need to get a proper understanding of where you stand in the present day. This is achieved by enacting regular energy audits. These will highlight patterns of your business energy consumption, making it clearer where efficiency can be enhanced. Audits should continue throughout the pursuit of energy-efficient manufacturing.    Important steps in energy audits include:  Defining all the energy-consuming items in the facility Evaluating equipment performance Checking energy bills for inconsistencies, spikes and drops Comparing usage to other buildings or businesses (if possible)   These steps will make it much easier to make informed decisions and develop a clear action plan going forward.    Investing in more energy-efficient manufacturing equipment Energy efficiency in industrial processes is largely dependent on the quality of the equipment being used. Older, less smoothly-running equipment will generally operate less effectively and cost just as much if not more than newer, more efficient alternatives. Replacing or refurbishing equipment might take a fairly significant up-front investment, however, it should save money and increase performance in the long run.    Typical changes can include:   Optimising HVAC systems Using variable speed drives to optimise motor operations Installing energy-efficient LED lighting Replacing older motors   Again, this should be treated as an ongoing task – these replacements or improvements won’t last forever without proper maintenance.    Installing smart energy technologies This one is short, sweet and simple – using a smart meter and other smart energy technologies offers a clear pathway to energy-efficient manufacturing. Smart meters as part of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) will offer clear insights into energy uses, while automation systems will improve the control of energy-consuming technologies. Best of all, these things can be tracked and controlled by software, offering actionable data insights for you to base decisions on.    Switching business energy suppliers Everything considered, you might just not be getting a very good rate. Choosing a better business energy provider can be a great way to improve your financial efficiency, while renewable sources like wind power are inherently more efficient for the environment. Electing to go renewable can also do wonders for a business reputation, helping to establish status as a company that cares.  For more insights into business energy topics, visit our blog today.

The Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) Programme is a new initiative led by various industry participants, sponsored by the government in the form of Ofgem, focused on trying to help the UK transition to a flexible, clean retail electricity market.    We’ve put together this piece to give a more general overview of the programme, potential benefits of MHHS to your business and how it’s working to contribute towards the goals of Net Zero – hopefully by its goal date of May 2027!   What is MHHS going to do? The core mechanism at the centre of the MHHS programme is the concept of accurate usage data being sent to energy providers every half hour from smart meters, enhancing efficiency for suppliers, reducing bills for customers and increasing general innovation across the industry. MHHS is also focused on reducing our carbon footprint in the effort to reach Net Zero.     Who is bringing MHHS to life? Of course, Ofgem, significant participants in the Net Zero scheme, are sponsoring the programme, however, there are many other parties taking part in the rollout of MHHS.    Elexon One of the most prevalent is Elexon – leading delivery as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and MHHS Implementation Manager (IM).   Retail Energy Code Company This non-profit organisation runs and operates the UK retail energy code. They’re ensuring that MHHS processes operate within these rules of operation in the market.    The broader industry Much like Net Zero, the programme can only roll out successfully with the participation of many other industry bodies. This means suppliers, agents and distinct service providers getting involved in everything from development to final decision-making.    With these leaders running the show and the participation of countless UK parties, the MHHS programme should be well on its way to achieving its timely goals.   What will the benefits of MHHS be for your business? The benefits of the MHHS are intended to span far and wide, encompassing economic to environmental and everything in between. In terms of how it might benefit your business, the top benefits will include:   Businesses will use smart meters to have a better opportunity to measure, analyse and understand their energy consumption, allowing for better efficiency at a granular level This access to granular data will allow businesses to better manipulate said data, such as creating visualisations for presentations and investment opportunities The accurate, timely settlements from half-hourly meter reads will help businesses to understand consumption, predict demand and generally lower their energy bills  All of these elements will contribute towards improved business efficiency, allowing companies to contribute effectively in the transition to Net Zero   To gain accurate half-hourly data insights to help manage your energy, the first step is getting your smart meter from D-ENERGi.  At this stage, the MHHS programme is in the testing phase, well on its way to begin the real rollout of smart meters and more in September 2025 lasting 18 months for full operations by May 2027. If you’re more interested in learning about the industry from a real contributor to clean energy, check out our blog today.

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!

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.  

When running a business, you’re constantly thinking about your outgoings. This means it’s important to guarantee that none of your expenditure is going to waste – a big part of this is ensuring that your workplace is powered by the best energy deals possible. This blog will explore how to switch energy providers to secure a better rate, offering tips on how to choose among the options for your best possible outcome.   Compare energy prices using comparison websites One of the easiest ways to compare business energy suppliers is by using online comparison tools and websites. These sites are designed to compile a wide range of options, offering insights into their prices and offerings, allowing consumers to choose the provider that best fits their needs. Our advice would be to use them for research before going to your preferred provider directly – this can sometimes result in getting an even better deal or bypassing any unexpected costs. Also, pay mind to independent suppliers like D-ENERGi, as they might not appear on the comparison sites.   Explore renewable energy sources Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers and society as a whole, while renewable energy like wind is often cheaper than traditional fuel sources. This makes going renewable a savvy business decision twice over, helping to lower energy bills and enhance your standing with potential customers.   Read customer reviews and ratings Sites like TrustPilot are a great resource for finding the best energy supplier. By sifting through customer reviews and client ratings, you can easily identify the traits you want from a good business energy provider.   Negotiate with your current business energy supplier Many think that energy bills are set in stone, however, more often than not suppliers are open to negotiation. If you’ve found a better rate, bring it to your current energy provider and let them know you’re willing to make the switch. It’s a win-win for your business as if they comply, you’ve saved making the change and if not you’re going to change anyway.   Finding the best business energy deals isn’t all about price Remember, the lowest business energy quotes aren’t necessarily going to be right for your company. Consider things like fixed-term contracts and the specific needs of your business before jumping into a new contract guns blazing. This specificity will ensure you get the right provision for the right price.   For more insights into the energy industry, visit our blog today.   Reach out to our friendly experts for a better rate. Our Price Matching team will match your renewal price to ensure you always get the best rates in the energy market.