Smart Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills This Winter
With winter fully under way, it can be hard not to rack up those energy bills. Take a look at some of our suggestions below to see what you could do for your business to keep costs low during the winter months.
Power Down to Save Energy
It is good practice to ensure that any equipment not in use is turned off. If each person in the office or business takes responsibility for switching off and unplugging unused equipment, electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 75%.
This works really well when everyone gets involved, as it helps to establish strong working practices, especially during winter when more energy is needed to heat up the building etc.
Simply turning off equipment and staying proactive is a habit that goes a long way. It is often overlooked, but it could save you from costly energy bills this winter.
Lighting
Lighting plays a major role for every business. It is a source of electricity that is used continuously, especially throughout the day, for most businesses. Therefore, making the right choices about the type of lighting you use for your buildings can have a significant impact on your energy bills.
Incandescent light bulbs and halogen light bulbs are not very energy-efficient and require a large amount of electricity to power. These types of bulbs were widely used at a time when our energy mix relied heavily on fossil fuels. Today, with a push for a greener and sustainable future, we have far better options that are more energy-efficient, last longer, and cost far less to run.
These improved options include LED lighting and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). There are also smart LEDs available, which are slightly more expensive but come with additional features such as dimming and other programmable functions. If you have not considered updating your lighting before, it could just save you a small fortune.
Have you got an Energy Management System in place?
Having an Energy Management System (EMS) in place for your business could save you anywhere from 20% to 30% on your energy bills. But how does it save you money?
Once installed on your meters, an EMS can monitor and track real-time energy usage, helping you identify when and where energy is being wasted throughout the week. By reviewing the data collected, you can resolve issues such as heating coming on during the night when no one is in the building. This helps you maximise your building’s energy efficiency during working hours, leading to significant monthly and yearly savings.
You gain full control over your energy use and gain the ability to monitor it at any time from your chosen device. It can also act as an early warning system if any equipment, such as an HVAC unit, is not operating correctly. Reduced efficiency will show up in the data, helping you spot problems sooner and avoid months of unnecessary energy waste.
Why not check out
Purely Insights? We currently have a 30-day free trial on our energy monitoring software. Get in touch with us today if you're interested!
Are you in the correct kVA banding?
You may be surprised by how many businesses overpay on their energy bills simply because they are not aware of their kVA banding. If your banding is incorrect, your standing charges increase, which means you will simply be charged more than what you actually use. You can check whether you are in the correct banding by reviewing your energy bill. This will point you towards the correct Distribution Network Operator (DNO), who can confirm your current capacity and banding.
We can also assist by carrying out a free kVA review for your business.
Can we help lower your energy bills?
We can advise you and compare market rates to ensure you get the best deal.
If you are interested in a free kVA review or would like a 30-day free trial of our energy monitoring software, Purely Insight, simply fill in the box below, and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us on 0161 521 3400
Written by Faith Labong at Purely Energy.
