Many companies pay their energy bills without too much thought. As long as the lights and heat stay on, everyone’s happy. However, as energy bills become more expensive, it’s beneficial to consider ways to reduce a company’s energy costs.
One of the best ways to cut energy costs is to reduce the amount of energy it uses. In addition, lowering its energy bills also frees money to use in other areas of the business. And what about the company’s carbon footprint? Reducing energy use also lowers its carbon footprint and makes the business more sustainable.
We’ve put together a list of simple ways your business can reduce energy costs and become more eco-friendly!
1. Conduct an Energy Audit
It’s almost impossible to reduce your organisation’s energy use if you’re not sure how much energy is currently being used. The purpose of the energy audit is to identify those areas of the business where energy use is costing too much.
Effective energy audits need to present the data in a way that’s straightforward and easy to understand. Audits generally take between four to six hours to complete, though it does depend on the size of your building(s).
Some energy suppliers do offer free energy audits, so it may be worth contacting them to see if your current supplier offers this service.
2. Switch Energy Supplier
Another great way to reduce energy bills is to switch your energy supplier. Search for cheaper providers to easily save money on energy.
In addition, many suppliers offer different rates for different times of the day. They also offer different tariffs.
So, it’s worth researching other suppliers to see if you can find one that’s right for you and offers lower energy rates. Some providers also offer free energy management software, which can be a huge help when reducing energy costs.
3. Replace Incandescent Bulbs with LEDs
Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs is one example where saving a little bit in many areas of the business can make a difference in a company’s energy bills. Consider the fact that LEDs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also don’t burn out like incandescent and other types of lighting. With normal use of 6 to 8 hours a day, LEDs are able to last up to 15 years.
What’s more, lighting projects (such as switching from regular bulbs to LEDs) have a short return on investment with a low initial cost. All of this means LEDs can start saving your company money right away.
Finally, most countries have passed laws to phase out incandescent bulbs. So, it won’t be too long before it’s impossible to buy incandescent bulbs.
4. Turn Off Lights When They’re Not in Use
One of the most effective ways to save on your energy bills is to turn off lights when they’re not in use. Turning off the lights can save a significant amount of money on energy bills.
So, your business may want to consider implementing a policy that requires employees to turn off the light when leaving a room. And there’s no need to light spaces that are not in use, such as storage closets or meeting rooms.
Another good idea is to take advantage of natural light. You may also want to consider using motion detection lights in areas such as hallways, where it’s not necessary for the lights to be on all the time.
5. Don’t Leave Electrical Devices on Standby
While it’s convenient to leave electrical devices on standby, it can cost your company quite a bit each year. Almost all electrical appliances consume energy when they’re in standby mode.
To save money, turn electrical devices off at the plug to save money. You might also consider assigning someone with the responsibility of making sure all electrical devices are switched off at the end of the day.
6. Purchase Energy-Efficient Office Equipment
Electrical devices that have poor energy ratings can cost a business dearly. When it’s time to replace electrical devices, be sure to replace them with more energy-efficient models.
All electrical devices are graded based on their efficiency, which is determined by the amount of energy the device uses per hour. The lower the consumption, the better the grade. For example, A+++ is the best, while G is the worst.
It is true that more energy-efficient devices cost more; however, their energy savings mean you’ll eventually recoup their costs.
7. Install Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are one of the easiest ways to save money on your company’s energy bills. These devices make heating and cooling more straightforward by setting rules as to how the temperature is adjusted at any specific time. Some programmable thermostats allow you to do this remotely.
These devices make it possible to lower the temperature during the weekend when employees are away. And then schedule the heat to increase the temperature just before everyone returns to work.
8. Check the Insulation
Another easy way to save money on energy costs is to check your building’s insulation. The more insulation a structure has, the less energy it uses.
It may be time to invest in more costly insulation, such as cavity wall insulation, or upgrade your office windows. However, it could be as simple as replacing the weatherstripping. Weatherstripping can reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 30%, and it’s pretty easy to install.
9. Don’t Overfill the Kettle
What are we talking about? Most people drink tea and coffee at the office. However, when the kettle for these hot beverages is filled too full, extra energy is needed to heat the water.
So, be sure to let everyone in the office know that they should not overfill the kettle to make their hot beverages. Making everyone aware of this can save the company quite a bit on energy bills.
Summing It Up
Energy prices will continue to increase—that’s a given. But there are ways your business can cut energy costs and become more sustainable at the same time. Even making small changes can have a significant impact on your energy bills.
So, use the easy tips in this guide to reduce your energy use and energy bills!
At PlanetMark, we enable meaningful change that creates a more sustainable, equitable world. Find out more and how we can help your business.
