5 Ways A Small Business Can Save Energy & Money

1. Use Energy-Saving Lighting

If your office is in the UK, chances are you will need to use artificial lighting on a regular basis, especially during the winter months.

The good news is you can minimise the cost spent on lighting with the use of energy-saving LED lighting panels, rather than standard incandescent lighting. LEDs do have a reputation for being initially expensive, but prices have dropped drastically in the last few years, so you really don’t have to invest a fortune to be able to change over.  

The amount you’ll save on your energy costs each year will more than make up for the price of purchase.

2. Go Paperless

Printers and photocopiers don’t just use lots of energy; they use lots of paper, too, costing regular sums of money to your SME. With the number of online apps and tools on the market, there really is no need to print out anything. Everything can now be done digitally.

Implementing a no paper rule in your office saves energy, saves money and also helps the office to appear tidier and more clutter-free.

Add any documents you want to share with others to a shared drive instead of printing out a copy. This also means no one will have to re-print any documents if they go missing; which could also be a security risk, too.

3. Take Control of the AC and Heating

We understand it is hard to get the temperature right in the office. We also know that it can sometimes be hard to keep everyone happy and comfortable. During winter months, you will most probably need the heating on during the day, but ensure you set a timer so that it is not left on all night and only switches on during working hours. 

And, it’s not just the heating that we spend energy on; in the peak of summer, cooling things down can be just as costly. According to the Carbon Trust, reducing the AC by as little as 1 degree Celsius could reduce your annual bill by up to 8%.

Set a minimum and maximum temperature on your heating/AC to easily regulate how much you spend on it. There is also a wide range of Smart meters available on the market that can help you take control of the AC and the heating.

4.  Turn Off at Night

In most businesses and agencies, laptops have replaced desktop computers, and although this makes operations a lot more flexible and mobile, it can have its downsides, too.

When it comes to laptops, rather than shutting down completely, people tend to put them to sleep or standby, which can add up to countless hours of energy being wasted every year by your business. 

Make an office rule so that employees switch off their laptops or take them home with them every night.

You should also ensure that you switch off all other appliances like vending machines, coffee machines, printers, TVs and presentation equipment. This is especially important at the weekend. 

5. Switch Energy Supplier

The above ideas will help you reduce the amount of energy you use in the office, however, there’s only one way to cut the amount you pay per unit of that energy.

Many businesses avoid switching energy providers because they think it will be time-consuming and admin-heavy, however, this is not the case. Energy comparison websites can find a new business energy supplier at a cheaper rate in a matter of minutes. It’s generally very quick and easy to switch over, and is by far the most effective way to reduce your energy costs!