Winter can be tough for businesses. You’ve got icy windshields to defrost daily, coughs and colds to contend with, and a Christmas party to plan.
It’s all happening against the background of higher energy usage. As temperatures drop, bills tend to do the opposite. This is where we want to help.
We’ve put together some tips and tricks to lower your energy bills this winter. From tiny tweaks to timely tariffs, this guide’s got you covered.
1. Energise your team about lower bills ⚡
Lowering your bills is a team sport. With every tip in this article, you can amplify the effects by getting your staff on board.
When they’re aware of what you’re doing and feel engaged, they’ll help more. Here are some tricks to try:
- Make conversations about energy a normal part of the work culture
- Talk to your team about how they think you can be more energy-efficient
- Work together to build new habits
- Explain how lower bills will be good for them (e.g. more money to spend on team snacks?!)
- Appoint some people as energy-saving champions to lead the fight
2. Use a smart meter as a bill beater 🤖
Smart meters are a game-changer for businesses. They’re helping customers across the country save serious money.
Smart meters let you track your usage in detail in the Octopus app. This gives you better visibility of your business’ energy habits.
So, you can be smarter with your usage. In the winter, when energy usage tends to be higher, this is really valuable.
A business’ smart meter dashboard
3. Get in the groove with Shape Shifters 🪩
Shape Shifters is our smart time-of-use tariff for businesses. It gives you lower electricity prices nearly all day. So, you’ll save big by using energy away from peak times.
We think this is a huge win for businesses. But, don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what Andy from Vision Hairdressing had to say:
“For any small business, Shape Shifters is a no-brainer.”
Ready to join Andy in saving money for your business? Sign up now:
4. Lower bills run on empty 🍽️
Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines scoff up a lot of power. To make the most of that power, only use them when they’re full.
One of our customers, Box Bear, is nailing this. They time their dishwasher to go on after 7pm. So, all the day’s dishes are getting washed at once. Since they’re on Shape Shifters, this off-peak usage means they’re really cleaning up.
5. Don’t just standby 📺
When you’re closing up shop or logging off for the day, hit those switches. If there’s anything that doesn’t need to run out of hours, consider turning it off at the source.
Switching off chargers, lighting displays or your coffee machine may seem like small changes. But, they can have a big impact on your bills in the long run.
6. Energy audits earn you plaudits (and lower bills) 👏
Find efficiency gains by reviewing your business’ overall energy performance. You can give this a go yourselves. Or, hire a professional that specialises in identifying improvements (just search online to find energy auditors in your area).
These audits spot ways you can use less energy. They also offer an insight into your energy performance and emissions. All in all, they’re good for your wallet and good for the planet.
7. Win the space race 🧑🚀
Heat and light are probably 2 of your biggest energy expenses, especially over winter. So, it pays to be clever about how much you use them.
Try only heating and lighting the spaces that need it. This might mean having staff work in one room – if it’s not too much of a squeeze. That way, you don’t have to spend money on other parts of your site.
LED sensor lights could be worth a go here. You can pop them in places like hallways and meeting rooms. Places your employees use, but don’t always need to be in.
8. Optimise your opening hours 🛒
As the winter nights close in, lots of businesses do too. They shorten their opening hours in line with the shortening days.
For lots of businesses, there’s less to do when the temperatures drop. Put simply, customers are more likely to be at home when it’s cold and dark.
It’s tempting to make yourselves available at all possible hours. But, sometimes, the operational costs of being open can exceed incoming cash.
By shutting up shop a bit earlier, you’ll use less energy. You don’t have to worry about the lamps being lit or the workplace being warm.
You could even encourage your staff to work remotely for the coldest and darkest bits of the day.
All in all, this adds up to you spending less money. Plus, you get to go home a bit sooner yourself. The kettle awaits!
9. Remember: some tricks never go out of style 💅
We’ve focused on tips that are specific to business. But, there are loads more general tips you can make use of too.
We’re talking boiler temperature, draught-proofing and managing your thermostat.
Check out our universal energy saving tips page for more money-saving methods.
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(You know what, this might be our best tip of all!)
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