Energy costs can be one of the most unpredictable costs for small businesses.
For small businesses, any potential savings can make a big difference for your profit margin. Here are some things small businesses can do to help lower energy costs.
The right energy plan for your business
Make sure your energy plan is suitable for your small business. A small business has different energy needs to a large business, so your energy plan should be different.
Daily operational costs can add up quickly, and energy can be one of the biggest operational costs for small businesses. It can be quite expensive for small businesses to keep the lights on, which is why it is so crucial to find ways to lower energy costs.
Many small business owners can be too time-poor to keep on top of their energy plan, but this means you can end up paying more than you need to. Your business energy needs can change, and the energy plan you signed up for years ago may no longer be best suited to your business.
If you’re looking to reduce your energy consumption and get a better energy plan for your business, Next Business Energy offers free business energy bill comparisons so you can see whether you could be saving more.
Get employees on board
There are numerous ways small businesses can save on energy, and most can be made with small changes to employee behaviour.
As a small business owner, it can be difficult to make all the changes yourself. Let your staff know you’re trying to reduce energy and get them engaged in energy-efficient practices you’re looking to implement.
Create a routine that involves turning off lights, heating and cooling systems, office equipment and appliances at the end of each day. This may involve putting up signs or assigning the last person in the office to do a walk through and check everything is turned off before leaving.
As well as at the end of the day, encourage your employees to turn off the lights when they leave a room no one else is using, such as the bathroom, kitchen or meeting rooms.
Another quick way to get your employees to help reduce energy usage, is to make sure they aren’t leaving their computers in standby mode, as this still uses up energy that will add up on your electricity bills.
Consider long-term options
As well as implementing quick energy saving changes within your business, there may be some long-term ways to save on energy costs. These may require an investment upfront, but can be worthwhile in the long run.
Office equipment that is used on a regular basis, including computers, printers, photocopiers and refrigerators, uses up a significant amount of energy. Updating your office equipment to more energy efficient models can help reduce your overall energy costs.
Through programs like the Victorian Small Business Energy Saver Program small businesses may be able to reduce running costs and greenhouse emissions. This program gives small businesses a discount to help cover up to 85 percent of the equipment and installation costs of upgrading to more energy efficient equipment.
To find out more about getting the right energy plan for your business, check out our recent blog, small vs large business – how does it impact your energy.