2 March 2023
As the energy market remains volatile, organisations all over the UK are reviewing their budget and energy strategy. Energy efficiency is a key part of this conversation – but how, and why, should businesses explore this?
If you’re rethinking your energy strategy, you may be wondering what you can do to become more energy efficient. You may be exploring your usage data or looking for where to find it. Or you might be starting to think about the exact measures you could take to access the cost- and carbon-saving benefits of energy efficiency. We’ve put together some of the key questions you might have – and the answers you’ll need to get started.
Right now, overheads are unpredictable, and budgets are stretched. To combat this, many businesses are thinking about becoming more energy efficient - but don't know where to start. Finding the upfront capital to act now can be challenging, and the cost of investment can make it difficult to justify action.
But at the same time, pressure to change is growing. We know that customers are demanding more from businesses on sustainability. And if you supply other businesses, your customers may be looking to reduce their Scope 3 emissions by choosing sustainable partners. As such, failing to act now could result in losing commercial success to more sustainable partners.
You may have already set ambitious sustainability targets to address this growing pressure. To meet them, you'll need to reduce your Scope 1 and 2 emissions, reducing carbon in your own processes and energy usage. You may even be aiming to become net zero, and energy efficiency can play a significant role in this.
There are also significant cost benefits to becoming more energy efficient. Becoming more efficient means you'll be able to cut waste, reducing your total energy bills and freeing up your budget. And by combining this with reducing your carbon emissions, you don’t need to choose between the demands of planet and profit. You can achieve both with improved energy efficiency - and you might already have the data you need to act.
To make a start on becoming more energy efficient, you’ll need your energy usage data. Reviewing your energy bills or smart meter could give you an idea of how much you’re using. If you don’t have the information readily available, your supplier should be able to supply you with your usage data.
Tracking your usage month-by-month, for example, can help you to identify seasonal patterns or periods of high usage. But if you’re looking for more specific information, detailed analysis could help you to cut waste more closely. By examining your energy data, you'll be able to tell exactly where your energy is being used - and when. This holistic view can help you to pinpoint opportunities to cut waste, turning your data into strategy.
If you can track your usage over time, you’ll be able to identify your peak usage periods. You can then ensure you’re only using the energy you need, such as by using task lighting.
You could also address the misconception about ‘vampire devices’. By examining your energy usage, you can identify where appliances on standby could be switched off, saving energy you don’t realise you’re using.
If you’re not sure what your data means or how to apply it, British Gas can help you to interpret it. Our team are experts in managing business energy, and are happy to help you make the most of your data.
Reducing your costs with energy efficiency could be a quick fix. For example, switching to LED lighting could reduce your lighting electricity costs by up to 80%. But long-term fixes can help you to save money too.
By managing your usage according to peak periods and areas of high heat, power or cooling demand, you can keep your spend under control. You could also identify which devices to replace with more energy efficient versions. The more energy-efficient your device, the less wastage they'll produce - saving you money in the long-term by only using the energy they really need.
And if you have multiple sites, energy monitoring can help you to manage your total spend. You can put together a full picture of your usage across your whole estate. You can then manage your energy usage accordingly and identify opportunities for savings overall.
The benefits of becoming more energy efficient don't stop with cost savings: you could also become more sustainable.
We've seen how you can reduce your energy usage, saving you money with energy-efficient machinery and lowered energy demand. But lowering your energy demand also means you'll be reducing the quantity of non-renewable energy you consume. This way, you could lower your Scope 2 emissions.
On top of this, if you're on a new fixed-term contract with British Gas, you'll get Zero Carbon electricity as standard. So you'll know that, along with lowering your usage, you're making a sustainable choice.
We’ve seen how your usage data can help you to become more energy efficient. By transforming your business today, you could make significant cost and carbon savings.
If you’re a British Gas business energy customer, get in touch with our team today to find out how you can make data-led decisions on your energy. Our UK-based account experts can help you to interpret your data and apply it to changes in your business, helping you to get ready for a low carbon future.
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