Optimising Your Business’s HVAC System for Summer Efficiency and Savings 9 Jul
As summer has rolled around and days are slowly but surely warming up, your business premises will be too. With this comes a greater demand for air conditioning. Especially in work places where lots of people are working together in a small space. Offices tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to A/C use, with unlimited access to the controls, individuals will play around with the settings to ensure the temperature is just right for them. However, with consistent use of an air conditioner and HVAC system comes a rise in energy consumption and as a result your business energy bills. In this article we explain how your business’ HVAC system can be optimised to ensure summer energy efficiency and cost savings.   The Importance Of HVAC Servicing & Maintenance One of the most practical things you can do to optimise your HVAC system is to carry out regular servicing and maintenance work. Having qualified engineers review the functioning of your system to complete necessary maintenance work to ensure a quality system will help to reduce expensive breakdowns and your energy consumption. A good system will not require much power in order to run each day, but when your HVAC begins to age or fail, more energy is required to power the system. We suggest having your system serviced at least once per year to check its performance and to ensure any errors in the system are corrected.   Maintain A Regular Temperature In Your Workplace A good way to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and isn’t consuming excessive power, is to maintain a regular temperature. While it may be tempting to adjust the settings throughout the day, switching between a blast of cold air after a long walk to the office, to turning up the heat when the office becomes cool again in the evening, this is not the most energy efficient way to operate. Consuming large amounts of energy in order to switch between settings will cause an increase in your business energy bills. It is far more practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly to stick to a regular, comfortable working temperature throughout the day.   Check For Visible Signs Of Wear & Tear It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your HVAC system, particularly throughout the summer season when the air conditioning will be used more frequently. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage or broken parts. This could include: Gaps in seals Error lights or messages on your system settings Loose parts Poor airflow As well as these signs, many people will notice sounds first. From banging to clanging, squeaking and squealing, a HVAC system that is making a lot of loud noises is likely not in good condition and needs immediate attention from a qualified technician or to be replaced.   Review The Age Of Your System While an older HVAC system can continue to function well, the system should be replaced every 10-20 years to ensure qualified performance. If your HVAC system is becoming dated, it may be time to replace it entirely. However, if you do not have the budget to do this, you could also contact a HVAC technician who may be able to provide replacement parts and offer a service that will optimise your system for a few more years.   To Conclude… While we hope that the sun makes an appearance at some point this year, it is important to consider the use of your HVAC system on hot days. Managing and reducing your energy consumption as much as possible in order to keep your business energy bills low. High business energy bills during the summer months are almost always attributed to the overconsumption of energy from an HVAC system. So, with these tips and tricks, you can manage your energy usage and optimise your system to ensure this summer you are not overspending on energy. For more energy saving tips, check out our blog, and for a free quote, simply get in touch with our team.
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5 Things To Consider Before Switching Business Energy Supplier 18 Jun
When switching from one business energy supplier to another, this process shouldn’t be taken lightly, in fact businesses and business owners should read carefully so as not to be caught out. In this blog we uncover 5 simple things you should be considering before you switch business energy supplier, providing advice on what you should look out for, to ensure you get the best deal for your business.   Compare prices with a variety of energy suppliers One of the first things you should do when considering switching energy suppliers is to compare a range of different suppliers. Specifically business energy suppliers. Those that specialise in supplying gas and electricity to businesses are often the best suited for businesses of all different sizes and with various needs. By comparing competitors you will gain a better understanding of the market. Discovering the average prices across the current market but also identifying differences between each supplier. Some may offer better prices while others may be more expensive but have much higher rated customer satisfaction. It’s important to understand what it is you are looking for so you find the perfect supplier for your business and your requirements. Price comparison sites are often some of the most effective ways to compare, however it is important to bear in mind that some energy suppliers are not included on such sites. Sometimes your own individual research is best.   Check for exit fees with your current energy supplier Before you make a decision about leaving your current energy supplier, be sure to read the small print. Often customers may wish to leave but your contract will put roadblocks in place to stop you from doing this so easily. Speak with your current energy supplier to determine what exit fees may apply and when the best time to change the contract would be. Typically this is within the weeks leading up to your current contract reaching completion. Most businesses and energy customers will start to shop around just before their contract expires, letting their energy suppliers know in advance that they will not be renewing their contract. This is the best way to avoid paying any unexpected fees.   Consider the length of deal you have found If you have found a contract that ticks your boxes, there’s one thing to pay close attention to. This is the length of the contract. Sometimes energy suppliers will make this information less obvious to catch out new customers. The typical energy contract is between 12-24 months, anything longer than that should be reconsidered or given a closer inspection.   Read reviews of your chosen energy supplier Often something that is overlooked but is so important, is customer reviews and satisfaction ratings. Understanding the services your potential new energy supplier offers will give you a good idea of what you can expect once you sign a contract with them. Hearing what others have to say about them on Trustpilot, especially businesses in a similar industry to your own, will help you in making your decision. Afterall, customer service makes up a huge part of the company’s role, making sure all energy customers are receiving the services they need.   Look beyond your quote If you’ve requested a quote from an energy supplier and you’re happy with the price, you should be cautious in your next steps. While this final price may sound great, there could be some hidden costs or a chance that this price will change. Be sure to get details about your quote, what it means, what it covers, and other terms and conditions that may apply. While reading the small print isn’t the most enjoyable part of signing a contract, it will certainly save you in the long run.   At D-ENERGi we can provide you with a free quote, providing some of the most competitive and unbeatable prices for business energy customers. We are also providing excellent customer services with 5-star rated on Trustpilot. If you’re looking for a change, get a quick quote from us and see how much you could save on your business energy bills.
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How Business Upgrades Can Save You Money On Your Electricity Bills 11 Jun
Business energy bills are a guaranteed cost for a business of any kind. Even the smallest sole trader businesses will have to pay the expense of lighting, electricity supply for technology and other things such as heating and air conditioning. Since this is a cost that every business has to contend with, there are many different solutions for businesses who want to reduce their costs to improve business cash flow. In this latest blog we review the many business upgrades that you can carry out to your business premises, be it an office, work site, or somewhere else, to help reduce your electricity usage and cut down spending on your electricity bills. Upgrades you can make to your business premises In order to ensure that your business is as energy efficient as possible and your energy bills are kept as low as possible, you can make the following upgrades and adjustments to your building: Invest in new insulation – if you’re not aware of how long your business has had insulation, be it in the roof or the walls, it may be time to upgrade. Signs of old insulation include: Draughty rooms Higher energy bills than usual Inconsistencies in room temperature Trouble with condensation and mould These signs are a sure sign that your insulation solutions have aged and it is time to upgrade. With a range of insulation materials and options you can choose to insulate your business premises according to your budget. Certain materials such as fibre glass are some of the cheapest to purchase and install. However, it is important to always consult an expert to ensure your insulation is fitted correctly and safely. What’s more, according to the Carbon Trust, an uninsulated office building will lose 60% of heat waste through the structure of the building.   Either through the walls, loft, windows, or floors. Investing in quality insulation will save your business from losing hundreds of pounds worth of heating, whilst also creating a much more comfortable and sustainable environment for your employees and teams. Upgrade lighting systems – With around 20% of energy costs coming from the use of lighting, both in business and domestic scenarios, it becomes important to know how much your energy bills are impacted by your lighting choice.   As one of the most energy efficient lighting options, LED light bulbs are highly recommended to businesses looking to cut costs. While the initial cost to fit these lightbulbs throughout a business premise, particularly an office, will require a larger budget than usual for bulbs, the long term cost savings make this worthwhile. LED lighting offers a longer lasting, brighter and safer solution for business use whilst also being the most eco-friendly option of them all! Install solar panels – have you ever wondered how renewable energy could benefit your business? Solar panels are an accessible option for businesses looking to invest into renewable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint. Solar panels can be installed to a range of buildings and will help cut the costs of your electricity bill by sourcing energy from the sun rather than traditional means. It is however, important to invest in a quality solar panel system that will be capable of providing the very best results. Install first time central heating system – in older buildings, particularly older office buildings, central heating may never have been installed. Central heating is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to heat a home without having to rely on the use of single electric room heaters or other alternative energy sources. While central heating is a costly investment it will certainly provide many benefits and not just to the cost of your electricity but it will also help to improve the comfort of your working environment. Making the heating of rooms much more manageable. Get help and support for your business While current energy rates are not as high as they were in the midst of the energy crisis, there are still many businesses in the UK struggling to make ends meet. In order to protect these businesses and keep them afloat, there are a number of support avenues that are still available to utilise. From financial support from the government to charities and your own energy supplier. Finding the help you need can make a huge difference, and take some weight off your shoulders as you continue to run and grow your business. The UK government currently has a business support service which is available to contact for free advice in England. They can be contacted in a number of ways: [email protected] Telephone: 0800 998 1098 Webchat There is also a wide range of financial support available across the nation, with different services provided in different regions and counties. Click here to find a suitable funding scheme for your business. A great example of this is the SME Energy Efficiency Scheme (SMEES) for small businesses located in Tees Valley to improve their energy efficiency. Support from your energy supplier. If you are struggling to cover the cost of your business energy bills, it is important that you let your supplier know. At D-ENERGi we support a wide range of businesses with their business energy supply and are on hand to provide you with help and guidance to ensure you do not get stuck or caught out by an unexpected bill. Simply get in touch with our friendly team for more information or get a quick quote by filling out a short online form.
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Lower your energy bills by switching business energy suppliers 7 Jun
There’s no doubt that by calling around a few business energy providers, the tariffs available vary greatly and it is possible to get a great business energy quote easily. There’s no doubt that by putting in a small amount of effort and calling around a few business energy providers, the tariffs available vary greatly and it is possible to get a great business energy quote easily. Indeed, depending on the business size and postal code, the potential savings by switching energy suppliers for a business could be substantial. According to some energy experts, a business could save several thousand pounds of its energy bill by simply switching business energy suppliers. Considering that a small business may spend around £5,000 on its electricity bill and £4,000 on gas bill, there could be a large amount of money to be saved. And for a business, all money saved is a boost to profitability in the success of the business.   Enjoy lower business energy prices So while switching business energy suppliers is relatively straightforward and easy, it is still not a very popular tactic for a business to undertake in a bid to cut its energy costs by enjoying lower business energy prices. This has been underlined by an investigation last year by the Competition and Markets Authority which revealed that around 40% of businesses in the UK had not switched their energy supplier in five years. Another surprising statistic is that 30% of businesses have never switched suppliers, so they are probably overpaying hugely on their energy bills. However, with a quick search of online comparison websites, an annual electricity bill was reduced from £3,000 to £2,800 and then after contacting a few business energy suppliers by phone, they managed to cut this down to £2,600 every year with the same energy consumption. Your business can even save more money by reducing your consumption with a lower unit rate. With a few minutes of effort, a small business could save £900 on what they would have been paying for their business energy needs.   Get the best business energy price For any business owner who is thinking of switching business energy suppliers, it’s always worthwhile having a comparison breakdown of unit rates and standing charges to compare a quote with a few business energy suppliers. There are some simple steps to take to ensure a business gets the best deal and that is to establish a benchmark price first. This can be done by using an online comparison website for business energy costs. With this figure in mind, it’s worthwhile calling around a few business energy suppliers to see who will offer the best price and the best customer service. Not everyone will do but it’s still worth making the effort. This is where an established popular business such as D-ENERGi comes into its own with its friendly and helpful team of experts who are UK-based, able to answer the calls promptly, providing the competitive rates when it comes to switching their business energy suppliers. At D-ENERGi, we work with businesses of all sizes to help them lower their business energy bills and provide tailored solutions. Speak to our friendly experts to find out how much you could save and get a quick quote designed to suit your needs. We ensure that your calls will be answered promptly within five rings or less, without a long waiting time.
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Smart Strategies for Businesses to Manage Energy Costs 21 May
When it comes to saving your business money, it’s all about making smart choices. Decisions that will focus on saving you pennies and allowing you to reap the rewards in the long term. When it comes to something like business energy costs, which are a difficult thing to predict, it pays to have some smart strategies in place.   1. Conduct an Energy Audit An energy audit is a thorough examination of your business’s energy usage and potential areas for improvement. This can be done by hiring a professional or using online tools. By conducting an energy audit, you can identify areas where you may be wasting energy and make smarter decisions to save yourself money. Whether you choose to invest in upgrades to your business premises, or choose to remove certain energy-draining devices that  are no longer needed, by following the recommendations of the energy audit, you will notice gradual savings overtime.   2. Embrace Energy Efficient Technology As technology continues to advance, businesses now have access to a variety of energy-efficient options. From energy-saving light bulbs and smart thermostats to solar panels and renewable energy sources, there are plenty of options for businesses looking to reduce their energy costs. Investing in these technologies may require an initial upfront cost, but the long -term savings will make it worth your while. Additionally, implementing energy-efficient technology can also improve your business’s overall sustainability and promote a positive image to customers.   3. Educate Your Employees One of the most overlooked strategies for reducing energy costs is educating employees on ways they can help save energy in the workplace. Simple actions like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using natural light whenever possible, and keeping doors and windows closed can make a significant difference in energy consumption. By educating your employees on the importance of energy conservation, you are not only reducing costs for your business but also promoting a culture of sustainability within your company.   4. Consider Time-of-Use Pricing Many energy providers offer time-of-use pricing , where the cost of energy fluctuates based on the time of day. By shifting your business’s energy usage to off-peak hours, you can take advantage of lower rates and save money on your overall energy costs. This strategy requires some planning and coordination, but it can result in significant savings for businesses that rely heavily on electricity.   5. Explore Renewable Energy Options Rather than sticking to the traditional sources of energy, considering options such as wind or solar power, is a smart and future-proof way of saving money.  Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to reduce their energy costs. Not only will this be a cost-saving measure in the long run, but it also promotes environmental sustainability.   6. Implement Energy Management Systems Energy management systems (EMS) allow businesses to monitor and control their energy usage in real-time. These systems can track energy consumption and provide data that can help identify areas for improvement. By analysing this data, businesses can make informed decisions about their energy usage and implement strategies to reduce costs. Additionally, EMS can also provide alerts for any potential issues with energy usage, allowing businesses to address them promptly. In conclusion, managing energy costs requires a combination of smart strategies and constant monitoring of energy usage. By conducting an energy audit, embracing energy-efficient technology, educating employees, considering time-of-use pricing, exploring renewable energy options and implementing energy management systems, businesses can effectively reduce their energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable future. So why not start implementing these strategies in your business today? If you would like to know more energy-saving tips, please visit our blog. Speak to our friendly experts to get the best business energy rates and start saving on your energy costs today.
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Business Energy Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction 14 May
The business energy industry is certainly a complex and sometimes misunderstood one. And with many technical aspects to understand and jargon, there can be a lot of confusion and mis-information. Leading to the spread of myths and misconceptions that result in many not knowing what is fact or fiction. In this blog we will delve into the most common business energy myths and help decipher what is true and what isn’t, so you can have a clearer understanding of business energy and what you are paying for.   Myth 1: Switching business energy suppliers is time consuming and complicated One of the biggest myths in the business energy industry is that switching suppliers is a long, complicated process. Many believe that it will take up a lot of their valuable time when in reality, it can be done quickly and easily. With an increase in online tools and comparison websites available, businesses now have the resources to compare energy plans and switch in a matter of minutes. And with a few simple details and meter readings, you can ensure you are getting the best deal for your energy needs. It is also worth noting that switching suppliers does not require any major changes or installations in your business premises. In fact, everything remains the same from your perspective as a customer, except for a potential decrease in your energy bills. If you are interested in switching business energy suppliers and would like to know more about the services we provide, speak to an energy expert of our team for a quote.   Myth 2: All business energy suppliers are the same Another common misconception is that all business energy suppliers offer the same services and prices. This could not be further from the truth. Business energy suppliers vary greatly in terms of their pricing, customer service, and renewable energy options. It’s important to research and compare different suppliers to find the one that best fits your business’s needs and requirements.   Myth 3: Renewable energy is too expensive for businesses Many businesses believe that switching to renewable energy sources will result in a significant increase in their energy bills. However, this myth has been debunked as renewable energy prices have become increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuel options. In fact, investing in renewable energy can actually save businesses money in the long run due to lower operating costs and potential tax incentives.   Myth 4: Energy efficiency is only for large corporations Some may believe that implementing energy efficiency measures is only feasible for large corporations with big budgets. However, even small businesses can benefit from simple changes such as switching to LED lights or installing smart energy meters. These changes can significantly decrease energy consumption and save businesses money on their energy bills.   Myth 5: Businesses have no control over their energy usage Many believe that once they sign a contract with an energy supplier, they have no control over how much energy they use or the cost of their bills. However, there are many ways for businesses to actively manage and control their energy usage. This includes implementing energy-efficient practices, monitoring energy consumption through smart meters, and negotiating with suppliers for better rates.   Myth 6: Energy suppliers can cut off your supply without warning There is a common fear that if businesses miss a payment or fall behind on their bills, their energy supplier will immediately cut off their supply without any notice. However, this is not the case. Suppliers are required to provide a warning and give businesses time to make payments before taking any action. At D-ENERGi we will work with you to ensure that you can cover your payments, and for any reason you may not be able to, our team will support you with the implementation of an affordable payment plan.   Myth 7: Fixed price business energy plans are always the best option Fixed price business energy plans may seem like a good deal at first glance as they offer a set price for a certain period of time. However, these plans can also come with hidden fees and penalties for early termination. It’s important for businesses to carefully read the terms and conditions of their energy plans before committing to a fixed rate. One thing to note is that with every business energy supplier and every contract, different rules apply. If you are a business energy customer, it is important to pay attention to the terms and conditions of your own contract and ensure that you understand everything that is included with your energy supplier. Speak to our friendly experts to get a quick and tailored quote for your business.
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