Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding an already established business, there are a number of factors to consider when looking at new business premises
It is crucial that your new premises meet your business needs. These will vary from business to business, so make sure you understand the growing needs of your business.
Solar panels
If you’re wanting to invest in sustainable energy within your business, something you may consider is the installation of solar panels.
When looking at potential new premises for your business ask if there are solar panels, and if not, find out if there is the possibility of installing them. This may be dependent on whether you’re renting an office space or buying a building, and if you have control over installing solar panels on the roof.
Something else to keep in mind with solar panels is that if you move business premises, you cannot take your solar panels with you. To ensure you get the most out of your investment, you want to ensure you will be staying in your new premises long enough to get a return on your investment.
Heating and cooling
You want to ensure you and your employees will be working in a comfortable space and that you can control the temperature. Your business premises needs to have sufficient heating and cooling.
Test out the heating and cooling systems when considering a new business premises. Is it an energy efficient system, in good working condition, or will it need upgrading within a few months?
This may impact your business costs, both immediate and long term, so is worth considering.
Light
Lighting is an important consideration when looking at a new business premises, both natural and artificial.
You want a workspace with a good amount of natural light. Are there windows that capture the sun at various times of the day, and can the windows be opened? You may also want to consider the types of curtains or blinds that are installed (if there are any), as this may be something you need to change to make the space more energy efficient.
Choosing a workspace that offers a good amount of natural light will help reduce your reliance on artificial lighting and lower your electricity costs.
Consider what the existing artificial lighting is like. If the space is dark, this may require you to install additional lighting. You may also want to check what kind of light bulbs are installed, as you may want to switch them with more energy efficient versions to reduce your energy costs.
Gas/electricity
All businesses have energy needs, and so your new premises needs to have access to gas and electricity.
Is there a smart meter or a regular energy meter, and is it accessible? You will require a meter reading before moving in and setting up your business energy.
If there is electrical work that needs to be done to the premises, or that has been done prior to you moving in, you may need to provide electrical safety inspection certificates to your energy retailer. If you live in NSW, you may need to get a safety inspection if your new business premises has been vacant for 6 months or more.
If you’re moving into a new business premises, you should also check whether there are any move in/move out fees involved with moving your energy account to a different location.
Refrigeration
Depending on your business type, you may have specific refrigeration needs for your new premises.
Check that there is sufficient refrigeration to suit your needs. You may need industrial refrigeration and freezer space, or perhaps you just need space for a small office fridge.
If already in place, check the energy efficiency, as refrigeration can account for a large portion of energy consumption. While it will involve an upfront cost, it will be a good long-term investment to upgrade the refrigeration to a more energy efficient model.
Social distancing
A new consideration for businesses following the COVID pandemic is the potential need for social distancing within the workplace. This may depend on the type of business you have and the location of your premises.
Consider how the space will work for the layout of desks and workspaces. You want an efficient use of space that will promote productivity.
You may need to consider potential bottlenecks where employees may congregate and ensure there is enough space for everyone to comfortably move about the office.
If you’re moving to a new business premises, contact Next Business Energy about transferring your energy supply.