Whether you run a small inn or a full-fledged company, no sensible business owner wants to waste millions in energy bills. Among other overhead costs like insurance and rent, utilities are generally the most taxing. Electricity and gas typically classify as variable overhead expenses. If you think that lately, the utility bills have been channeling the hard-earned resources you could have invested in other business ventures, this guide is for you. To begin with, the best way to go about saving business energy would be to choose the most facilitating and inexpensive suppliers. Although comparing quotes from different companies can be stressful, luckily, platforms like Utility Bidder do the work for you.
By subscribing to such services, you can compare the various suppliers in terms of their market prices, customer reviews, and overall value for money. Aside from choosing the aptest suppliers, here are some other hacks to help you save up on hefty energy bills.
Invest in Energy Audits
Energy bills can be frustratingly unpredictable. If the billing companies specified that A.C number 5 in office number 7 on the 6th floor is draining energy, it would be more convenient to gauge the usage. However, for better or worse, that is not the case. It is where an energy audit comes into the picture. It can be an efficient tool to determine baseline energy use band identify waste. Many companies even offer to conduct one for free.
An energy audit includes an on-site inspection of your business premises, and it takes 3-4 hours on average. The auditors will assess where your business is consuming the most energy and suggest ways to conserve it. Among other things, they may check for insulation defects and air leaks.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you’re a future-oriented person who likes to plan ahead, investing in energy-efficient appliances can be your best move. Check if they are ENERGY STAR rated before sealing your contracts for office paraphernalia that runs on gas or electricity. It is a trusted label that the US Environmental Protection Agency endorses. However, such equipment may cost more upfront. Hence, it may not be a practical option for small businesses with a tight budget.
Be Tactical About Thermal Regulation
Monitoring and regulating the temperature can ensure that there is no unnecessary energy drainage. For saving energy optimally, experts recommend cooling your surroundings to 25ºC in summer and warming it up to 20ºC in the cooler months. Even a single-degree change in the thermostat setting can alter your energy usage from 10% to 15%. Besides, a programmable thermostat can also make a worthwhile investment to make.
For organic thermal regulations, you can rely upon expansive windows for heating the premises in the winter. Blackout drapery can also retain heat and save your costs up to 25%.
Devise Energy Laws for Your Workplace
Saving energy in a shared setting requires a collective effort from the members. Having a set of rules can incentivize people. For instance, turning off the air conditioners in unused storage houses and empty rooms. Plugging off the appliances like printers and electric kettles after using them can also prevent phantom energy usage.
