Team, Leadership, and Responsibility
Firstly, it’s important to ensure that your staff are on board with your sustainability plans, as it takes contribution from all members of your team to make a difference. That can mean turning off all equipment at the end of the workday, monitoring heating and cooling, turning off taps and lights and generally being more energy conscious.
Your business may benefit from assigning someone within the company to monitor sustainability practices to ensure all staff are on the same page and working towards the goal together.
Many companies utilise car share or bike-to-work schemes which reduce fuel emissions during the work commute. Not only that, but these practices can pass savings onto employees who can cut their fuel costs or even eliminate them completely.
New Technology & Electric Alternatives
There is an abundance of new technology that is built for energy efficiency within different business environments. In an office environment for example, certain electronic devices and appliances could be replaced with more modern and efficient upgrades, such as kettles, microwaves, printers, and temperature control units.
Warehouses may want to consider upgrading to alternative machinery such as electric forklifts, manual movers, and high-efficiency doors and shutters.
As a rule of thumb, most older electronics will use more power than modern versions as they have been developed to become more energy efficient. So, it’s always worth checking what could be upgraded to see a difference on your bill.
Electric Vehicles
Many companies are assigning their staff electric company vehicles as more sustainable alternatives to their petrol or diesel counterparts.
By the end of 2022, it's projected that electric cars will outsell diesel and mild hybrid diesel.
There’s been a massive increase in the number of electric vehicles on sale in the UK with more than 40% of models now available as plug-ins. Carmakers like Nissan, Tesla, Ford and Vauxhall have all expanded their model line ups to include affordable plug-in models.
So, what does this mean for businesses?
Firstly, it means that electric vehicles are becoming more viable due to their availability and affordability.
It also means that EV charging points are more commonly found at petrol forecourts and service stations across the UK.
Businesses can install their own EV charging points for their staff to create a more sustainable work environment and cut down on company fuel expenditure.
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy measures not exclusive to big businesses.
Small to medium companies can help shape the energy transition across the country and have a meaningful impact on the ecological health of a nation.
How does renewable energy work?
Your energy provider will match the electricity you use on a renewable contract with electricity/gas from renewable sources. This means that for 100% of the electricity you use, the same amount from renewable sources will be fed into the National Grid. This is the same for gas, except your provider will match 10% to renewable sources and 90% to Carbon Offsets.
How does it benefit my business?
Not only do businesses benefit from directly contributing to global sustainability, but customers and shareholders will also see the value, which could be the difference between your company and your competitors.
Does it save money?
People used to say that you could have green energy or cheap energy, but not both. That's no longer true: the cost of renewable energy has fallen over the past few years and continues to drop as new technologies and generators are introduced to the market.
Despite this, many energy suppliers still charge a premium for renewable energy, so using an expert broker service can help ensure you get the best rates.
Monitoring Costs
It is often the case that businesses aren’t fully aware of what they’re spending on their bills, they just chalk it up as an unavoidable expense.
However, it is important to know exactly what you’re paying for, as you might be paying for more than you need, or there may be a better deal elsewhere.
For example, the maximum amount of power a property can draw from our network at any one time is known as its Maximum Import Capacity (MIC).MIC is measured in kiloVolt-Amps (kVA). In certain circumstances, customers may want to reduce their MIC because they are using less electricity than the maximum allowed. Doing so allows some customers to save money.
Getting the best deal for your needs
Did you know that firms have experienced a 424% rise in gas costs and 349% increase in electricity since February 2021?
At Energy Geeks, we do the leg work for you by comparing pricing, plans and solutions to find the best fit for your business’ needs. We make sure you only pay for what you need, creating opportunities for cost-saving.
Whether you’re looking at sustainable alternatives, EV charging, or simply looking to shave some cost of your bill – our experts can offer a no obligation, free consultation to help you find what you need.
Contact us here to find out more.