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Energy Saving Tips for Businesses

Energy Saving Tips for Businesses

Eco-friendly policies are a must-have for businesses worldwide. Due to the general public becoming increasingly wary about their business having a high environmental impact and with climate change targets being set in legal stone; we must now strive to be more environmentally friendly, lest we suffer the consequences.

This is a series of business-focused guides about measures you can take to be a lean, green and hopefully save some cash!

Smart Extension leads

Throw single sockets out with the old and bring smart extension leads in. These multiple-socket power strips prevent the flow of electricity from turned off appliances, reducing your carbon footprint. You may also improve your office look; many smart power strips are now available in sleek wall-mounted designs allowing you to control the device via a wireless remote or mobile app! Although they’re a little pricier than the next best extension lead, you’ll soon start to see the benefit when you’re saving money on your Business energy bill.

Energy Saving Bulbs

Compared to traditional incandescents, energy-efficient lightbulbs such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs), typically use about 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, saving you money and can last 3-25 times longer.

Today’s energy-efficient bulbs are available in the wide range of colors and light levels to ensure your work space is not compromised. While the initial price of energy-efficient bulbs is typically higher than traditional incandescents, newer bulbs cost less to operate, saving you money over the life of the bulb. Many of the newer bulbs last significantly longer than traditional bulbs, so you won’t need to replace them as often.

Flick the Switch

Printers, scanners, photocopiers and other equipment used intermittently should be set to sleep mode or be switched off when you don’t need them. Remember to shut down your computer before you leave, this can easily reduce energy consumption by nearly 40 per cent according to Rainforest Alliance (2015).

Keep the air circulated

Be sure to keep your work space as clutter free as possible, especially in the vented areas. FACT: Did you know that books and bulky items absorb the air circulated by vents and cooling units?  Meaning those nasty winter bugs, germs, bacteria and smells have no room to escape, and continue to circulate around the office.

Stop the heat from escaping

Stop the heat leaking out through the windows in the winter months. Most businesses do not realise how much of their heat escapes from doors and windows which need repairing. Look out for gaps and cracks!

When put into this kind of context, some of these statistics are mind blowing. Many of us assume that there’s no harm in leaving things switched on when they’re not in use, but it’s clear to see just how much energy and money we are wasting through sheer carelessness and laziness.

To ensure you’re not burning money, you’ll need to get your staff on board. By showing them these figures, they’ll get a clearer idea of how much their bad habits are costing the company.

Renewing your Business Energy Contracts

Renewing your Business Energy Contracts

Avoid getting rolled over

Many businesses in the United Kingdom are still unaware of the practice of automatic contract renewal for business energy – also referred to as being rolled over – and don’t realise the implications that this can have on the businesses energy bills.

When a company is nearing the end of its current business energy contract, if they do not contact their energy supplier to terminate their current contract or renegotiate a new one, within the renewal window, their contract will automatically be renewed, or rolled over, as it is commonly known.

Being rolled over can cause a huge problem for businesses, as being rolled over on your contract can result in paying a much higher rate for business energy, whilst being prevented from shopping around for the best possible business energy deals – which in the current economic state is a vital step for business efficiency.

Energy Contract Rollover Checklist

Here is a checklist we designed to help businesses when signing a new business energy contract:

  1. Make sure you know when your renewal date is and how much termination notice is required.
  2. Provide your supplier with the correct termination notice.
  3. Shop around for a competitive deal
  4. Thoroughly read all paperwork, including terms and conditions of the contract, before agreeing to or signing a new contract.
  5. Ensure you understand the pricing structure of the deal, as well its terms and conditions, remember there is no cooling off period.
  6. Any paperwork related to the contract should be stored in a safe space so it can be referred to at a later date if required.
  7. Use a good energy provider, like ourselves, to help with all the paperwork and to make sure the deal is right for you.

Renewal rates are mostly higher

Most businesses fall into the trap of getting rolled over which means that energy companies take the risk of applying a higher renewal rate. If your company has a contracts department, most likely you will be saved due to negotiation, nevertheless majority of businesses in the UK are paying over the odds for Utilities due to the fact that they do not check their renewal notices.

You can renew upto 6 Months before your end date

Yes it’s true, businesses who have renewed with us earlier have made huge savings on their energy bills. This is because the rates change dramatically in the winter months therefore, it is best practice to review and shop around well before your notice letter arrives (30 days before).

Understanding fixed & variable rates

It is always best practice to make sure that you have been offered a fixed rate rather than a variable which keeps changing. A fixed rates ensures that you are paying the same amount for KWH – secure your price even further by signing up for a 24 month contract rather than a year as your rates will be secured and you will not be affected by price changes the following year.

 

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