STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS


Helping you save energy and reduce costs - 15 tips for businesses


By Chamber patron, Assured Energy


Part of the Consultus Group International Limited and headquartered in Leicester since the company was founded in 1994, Assured Energy works to help businesses reduce their energy bills. We are committed to helping


businesses in the region to pay less for essential utilities, which is one reason why we are a proud patron of the Chamber. We know how costly energy usage can be, for small and medium-sized businesses in particular. If you want to bring down your


energy expenses in 2020, these handy tips may help.


1. Get employees involved To set clear energy saving targets, you need to understand how your business actually uses energy and identify those areas where energy is being wasted. Employees should be engaged with this - every day they need to target waste and think about ways to help reduce energy consumption.


2. Regular boiler servicing This is a quick, easy and relatively low-cost win. We recommend an annual boiler service to maintain efficiency and smooth running. And as a business, it’s a legal requirement to keep gas appliances safe.


3. Energy-efficient lighting Lighting a business can account for a large proportion of energy bills.


30 business network February 2020


LED lighting can dramatically reduce costs.


4. Join a Demand Response Programme This works by encouraging participants to reduce electricity usage during periods of peak demand. Participants are reimbursed as a reward. Extra income can be earned by reducing electricity usage during times of higher demand on the grid.


5. Maximise tax breaks Many tax incentives are offered for investing in energy efficiency – visit www.gov.uk/greentaxes-and-reliefs for more information.


6. Networking Connecting with other local businesses can help you gain insight and ideas by learning from other companies’ energy saving and cost reduction strategies.


7. Set energy saving goals After analysing your current energy usage, aim to set realistic and straightforward energy saving goals. Set clear KPIs (key performance indicators) and track your progress.


8. Energy saving exit signs Illuminated exit signs obviously need power, so it’s important to ensure that they are efficient. Install ENERGY STAR qualified exit signs, as this will reduce maintenance costs.


11. Use blinds for heating/cooling During cooler seasons, we’d advise you to leave windows in the southern end of a building unobstructed to allow direct heat to enter the building. This will contribute to solar heat gain from sunlight. During warmer seasons, it’s best to block direct heat using blinds. This heat will usually enter the building through the west and east ends of the building.


‘We know how costly energy usage can be, for small and medium- sized businesses in particular’


9. Use laptops more Laptops tend to be more energy efficient, using up to 80% less energy than regular desktops on average. Generally, desktops have a maximum draw of 175 watts whereas laptops have a maximum draw of 60 watts.


10. Air conditioning systems Even the best AC systems are likely to decline in performance as they age. We suggest an annual maintenance contract to ensure your AC system has a longer lifespan with fewer repairs necessary.


12. Weather stripping To help avoid expensive heating and cooling loss in your business, it’s important to identify leaks. It’s often easy to plug leaks with weather stripping, which is a great way to manage ventilation more efficiently.


13. Use occupancy censors Install these sensors to automatically switch off lights when a room is not being used.


14. Use power management features and software When computers are not in use, set monitors to a low-power mode. Commercial power management software can also be used to help ensure your machines run as efficiently as possible.


15. Turn down the thermostat Simply turning down the dial by one degree could save nearly £75 a year on a gas bill.


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