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Saving energy is as important a consideration as any for small business owners. Although public opinion is divided on energy conservation and efficiency (indeed, plenty of misinformation has been published on the issue), saving energy can help a business save money. Small Business owners should read below for tips on how to save money on business energy.
- Be smart
Electrical appliances drain energy at every opportunity, even when they are not in use. Televisions, computers, monitors and most other types of electrical equipment draw some charge when they are idle or on stand-by. When equipment is in use, each item will use power differently. Although not in the least bit unusual, this difference is very important.
You can save energy around the home and in the office by installing a smart meter, which monitors real-time electricity consumption. The information made available by a smart meter is extremely useful because it enables you to identify how much energy is being used, and how much it is costing, motivating you to use less. Replacing old equipment can save energy too – it may cost money upfront, but it could provide energy savings in the long-term.
- Switch off
As mentioned in the first tip, appliances continue to use energy when left on stand-by. Televisions are often left in this state, as are computers, DVD players and even game consoles (the power units draw energy even if the boxes are turned off). Several hours of stand-by usage every day can significantly impact on energy bills, but is it right to switch off all appliances?
The short answer is yes. Televisions can be turned off at the plug socket in the same way as game consoles, DVD players, kettles and other such appliances. Computers are a little different, however. It is simply not practical to turn off a computer only to have to turn it back on again twenty or thirty minutes later, repeating the process throughout the day. Mums are often required to mix business with other responsibilities, meaning that they sometimes leave their computers for half an hour or longer on a regular basis.
Energy saving is possible in this scenario by ensuring that the computer has good power saving options. Specifically, you should ensure that PC monitors switch off after a period of inactivity (five or ten minutes perhaps) and hard drives follow a short while later (20 or 30 minutes, for example).
- Insulate
Most household energy is spent on gas central heating, which is necessary during the winter months. Research has shown that insulating a property can dramatically improve energy bills, so it is important that you consider insulating cavity walls and lofts as a matter of priority. All windows should also be double-glazed to ensure that minimal heat escapes a building.
- Switch energy providers
It is sometimes the case that the most immediate energy savings can be made by switching suppliers. Unfortunately, the number of tariffs available at any one time can seem baffling, which is why many businesses choose to seek a free energy consultation from uswitchforbusiness. Comparing energy usage with all available tariffs can ensure a business is on the most cost-effective plan at all times.
- Install solar panels
Finally, what better way to use energy more efficiently than to generate it yourself? Solar panels can supply homes with clean renewable electricity at no cost beyond the installation fee (usually between £10,000-£15,000). Under the feed-in tariffs, households can also export energy to the National Grid at a fixed rate, meaning they save money on energy bills whilst generating a little return on surplus electricity.
This is another upfront cost that can pay off over time (a profit can be expected after 15 years on a standard installation). So whether you work from home or from the office, they are worth considering.
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