Winter energy savings for businesses

Top tips: save your business energy and money this winter

Colder months usually mean higher energy costs and it’s a season when businesses need to be mindful of their energy usage to keep costs down – and reduce their environmental impact. It’s sometimes a daunting task, yet with the current economic climate, finding ways to save energy and money has never been more important.

Do you know how smart technologies can help you lower your energy usage? How about the impact modern working solutions can have on costs? Need a quick guide to schemes and financing available to help you save more this winter? Read on for practical tips and strategies that will see you through the colder months.

Electricity, heat and lighting

The right technology solutions can help reduce costs where it counts – and it also matters how you use them.

• Turn down the thermostat
  Lowering the temperature by just a few degrees can make a big difference in your energy bill.
• Insulate and seal leaks
  Check for gaps around windows and doors and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
• Maintain and adjust your HVAC system
  Make sure your HVAC system maintenance is kept up to date. Clogged up filters will result in lower system efficiency. You can learn more about the different systems here.
• Review your Building Energy Management System settings
  Make sure the settings and controls within BEMS are updated and adjusted to your current building usage patterns.
• Use energy-saving heating solutions
  Energy efficient technology like heat pumps have a considerable payback in commercial and industrial settings. Read this article on our website for more information on heat pumps, and browse the products we list that are tested and stringently assessed for energy efficiency.
• Monitor your energy use with smart technology
  From heat pumps to programmable thermostats, smart technology can help by dynamically adjusting to your needs while keeping usage down. Installing smart metering where you use energy the most will help you identify where you can make the best savings. We cover some of our thoughts on the uses of smart technologies in this article. 
• Take advantage of natural light
  Open blinds and curtains during the day to let in sunlight and warmth.
• Upgrade to energy efficient lighting
  LED bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs.
• Install lighting controls
  Motion sensors in areas like restrooms, storerooms and corridors mean that lights only turn on when someone is present. Want to learn more? Read this in-depth guide to energy efficient lighting criteria  on our website. 

Modern working solutions

It’s not just technology that can help. Shifts in workplace and office mindsets can be a huge factor in saving on running costs in colder months.

• Make the most of flexible working
  Promoting hybrid working from home and prioritising virtual meetings take the strain off the energy demands on your building(s).
• Be office smart
  Plan ahead and shut down unused areas, go paperless, avoid electric heaters and encourage staff to turn off computers and other electronics when not in use to save energy.
• Appoint a ‘green champion’
  An individual or team to lead on your energy efficiency efforts and encourage energy-saving behaviour can help keep you on track.

Find a cost-saving scheme

There are financial schemes and incentives to help businesses save energy and money. Some recent ones include:

• The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) which requires large companies to carry out energy audits and identify cost effective energy-saving measures.
• The Climate Change Agreement (CCA) which provides a discount on the Climate Change Levy (CCL) for businesses that commit to reducing their energy consumption.
• The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) which provides funding for businesses to invest in energy-efficient equipment and processes.
• The Green Business Fund from Carbon Trust which provides free energy assessments and advice to small and medium-sized businesses.

The ETL is by your side

Measuring energy consumption is the first step to identifying energy-saving opportunities, and the ETL can help with products and criteria under the Energy Monitoring category. It includes AM&T Sub-Metering Systems that identify energy wastage, and Building Energy Management Systems which provide energy management for measurement, recording, trending, and alarming capabilities – and diagnosis of unnecessary energy use. You can find the categories and criteria here.

Ready to browse the ETL’s full list of energy efficient products? Review the products page on our website.

Are you a manufacturer of energy-saving heating equipment? Gain independent verification by registering on the ETL today for free.