How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Business in 2022

For many small businesses, finding savings, no matter how small, is very important for the bottom line. With the cost of energy increasing at an unprecedented rate in 2022, this rise will have a significant impact. If you have business premises then costs can spiral, particularly in a cold climate like Scotland where for at least 6 months of the year heating and lighting energy consumption is high. Reducing energy costs can be a good way to save money. Businesses could reduce energy costs by up to 20% just by making simple changes. And if this wasn’t incentivising enough, the government’s website suggests you may get reliefs or be exempt from some taxes, e.g. if:

• you use a lot of energy because of the nature of your business
• you’re a small business that doesn’t use much energy
• you buy energy-efficient technology for your business

Here are some ways to reduce your business energy costs:

• Install LED lighting

Lighting accounts for 18% of all energy consumption in the UK about 58,000 terawatt hours (TWh) per year. Commercial lighting accounts for 70% of this. LED lights consume less than 80 percent of the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs.  Although they do cost more to buy than traditional lightbulbs they last longer and cost less to run.  So if businesses were to convert to LED they could save pounds on their electricity bills.

• Power Down Your Computers and monitors at night

Running computers and monitors accounts for half the electricity consumption in an office. An average computer uses 40W when running, and between 20W and 30W when on standby – monitors run on 80W, using 10W to 15W on standby. Computers, like many other electrical devices, drain power even when on standby. The average computer draws between 1.5W and 3W when it is turned off but plugged into a mains socket. Turning off monitors and. computers at night can save money.

• Swap to Laptops over Desktops

Laptops are more energy-efficient and consume up to 80 % less electricity than desktops. Energy consumption varies on a model-by-model basis but overall they are more efficient.

• Draughts proof your windows or install double glazing.

Not always possible if you don’t own but rent the premises. However, there are ways to make your premises less draughty cheaply which will save on heating costs.

• Install Solar Panel

Perhaps not as lucrative as they once were in terms of the “Feed in Tariff”, but they still provide an income guaranteed for 20 years. There are loans available from the Scottish government to support businesses that are looking to reduce costs through improved energy. If you own premises and have the right type of roof, then this may be an option.

• Upgrade your heating system

Old gas boilers or antiquated electrical heating can be less energy efficient. New boilers are much more energy-efficient and can save money in the long run even allowing for the upgrade costs.

• Upgrade your lighting systems

Install sensors that activate when people enter the space. These are particularly good for external lighting.

Takeaways:

There are definitely ways to save energy and reduce energy costs in your business by incorporating small changes into the business. There are loans available to help businesses become more energy efficient.

Are you ready to save money?

You may also be interested in: Great Ways To Save And Conserve Energy In Your Home