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Reduce your business carbon footprint
Once you know your business carbon footprint, you can look at ways to make cost savings now, and also begin to future proof your business against hikes in the price of carbon. Use this energy benchmarking tool from The Carbon Trust to analyse your typical usage and see where you could save.
Quick energy-saving tips for your business
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01
Switch energy providers
Switching energy providers is one of the easiest ways to cut energy bills. However, because of changes in the energy market (increasing wholesale energy prices and some suppliers folding) it’s difficult to find a deal at the moment. It’s still worth shopping around to see if there’s a better option out there though. Visit a comparison site before switching to help your decision.
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02
Review your energy usage
Check your energy usage over the previous 12 months and see when and where you're using the most. For help and support on calculating your business' energy usage visit utilityswitchboard.com.
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03
Don’t leave things on standby
Turn off PCs and office equipment when you’re not using it. This one small thing could make a huge difference to your bill.
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04
Use energy-efficient equipment
Another way of cutting your costs could be to make sure you’re providing energy-efficient equipment. uswitch.com suggest that laptops are more energy efficient than a desktop and provide some helpful energy savings tip to follow here.
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05
See the light
Using energy-saving lightbulbs can also give you a small saving. According to the Energy Saving Trust switching from a 100w incandescent bulb to LED can save up to £13 per year (based on 1,100-luman bulb running for 562 hours per year).
And it’s always a good idea to turn lights off when they’re not in use too – leaving them on could be bumping up your bills. The easiest way to curb this is by investing in a motion-sensor lighting system.
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06
Think about the temperature
Rather than turning the thermostat on full blast in the winter, consider managing the temperature to cut costs. You can turn down the thermostat at night or when staff are out of the office. The Energy Saving Trust says that even turning it down by one degree can save £85-£90 per year in a three-bed semi-detached house, so it could help reduce your business costs too. Checking for gaps in windows/doors and filling them or upping the amount of insulation could also help you reduce heat loss and ultimately save you money.
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Make sure everyone knows how to help
Getting your employees on board with energy saving is a great way to reduce your costs. Educate everyone on the benefits of energy efficiency so they can call out ways to save. And offering flexible or remote working could reduce the amount of office space, heating, lighting, and electricity you need to pay for as well. Check out Action Renewables for more support with getting your team on-board.
Help from energy-efficient grants and schemes
You may be eligible for grants or schemes to help your business become more energy efficient. You can also access advice on how to lower your carbon emissions, saving money and helping the environment in the process.
Support to pay your energy bills
Find out what help, and advice is available for your business if you are struggling to meet energy payments.