The nights are drawing in, Christmas is fast approaching and the goose may be getting fat, but with the colder weather comes bigger energy bills. Not only does a poor energy usage strategy increase outgoing costs, but it also affects the environment and contributes to climate change. With a bit of careful planning, you can reduce the amount of money you’re spending on heating, and you can also do your bit to help reduce your impact on the environment, and business has a huge role to play here. Here are a few ways to improve your energy consumption strategy.
Make sure you use your thermostat correctly
It might seem obvious at home, but in your business location, always make sure that your thermostat is appropriately placed. If it is in direct sunlight or next to a heater of some sort or in a damp or draughty corner, then it isn’t going to read the true temperature correctly.
Make sure it’s set correctly on a seven-day plan; your place of work may not be habited every day of the week, so you don’t need to be spending on heating on those days.
Stay in control of your lighting options
Light bulbs have come a long way in the last ten years, and you can save a lot of money by switching out your old bulbs for more modern, compact fluorescent bulbs that will actually give you more light over a longer time for less money. Don’t forget how bad people are at turning lights off too. With automated motion detectors placed in high traffic, dark corners (bathrooms, storage areas, etc.), you can ensure that money and energy aren’t being wasted.
Install a smart meter
Knowledge is power, and with a smart meter installed, knowledge is power saving! Rather than relying on high tariff, estimated bills get yourself in control of the situation with an upgraded meter that allows you to see what your energy consumption looks like in real-time. Energy use can be tracked easily to allow your business to cut excess utilization, and potentially detect hazardous situations using real-time applications to prevent disasters. This will also make it a lot easier to get employees and colleagues engaged and on-board with your energy-saving strategy.
Make sure you’re getting the best deal
Probably the most efficient use of your power, spend time making sure you are on the best deal and with the right supplier for your needs. At the very least talk to your existing supplier and make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. With so many gas and electricity suppliers out there vying for your business these days, you should absolutely be comparing the market to find the right plan. This can be a time-consuming exercise, so make use of a specialist service to help you make the right choice: Tritility is a great example of an expert company that can help reduce your business’ energy costs.
With a few immediate changes to your equipment and energy plan allied to longer term energy-saving initiatives, you will soon start to see an impact on your company wallet. Don’t forget to keep staff engaged and involved, continuously review your plan and invite feedback, so you are always working towards more energy efficiency and more savings.
