How to save money on your business energy

Understanding your energy use and managing energy efficiency could make a real difference to your costs. By choosing the right tariff, keeping costs under control, and building in simple energy-efficient habits, you could boost your bottom line.

Here’s our checklist to help business leaders :

STEP 1: Understand your current energy usage

Before you switch suppliers or sign a new contract, be clear on how much energy you actually use - you’ll find your consumption on your business energy bill.  This will help you choose the right tariff and avoid signing up for a contract that doesn’t match your energy needs.

STEP 2: Check what current greener energy solutions you have in place and  identify gaps

Before investing in anything new, take a moment to review what you already have in place. A simple walk around your premises can reveal a lot about where you’re already doing well — and where there may be opportunities to improve.

For example, do you have LED lighting fitted throughout your premises? Do you have motion sensors on door, so lights only come on when needed? What type of heating and hot water system do you use — gas, electric, storage heaters, or a heat pump?

Once you have a clear picture of your current setup, the next step is identifying the gaps. Start with the quickest wins: small, low cost changes that can make an immediate difference. From there, you can plan larger upgrades that may require more upfront investment but could deliver the greatest long term cost savings and sustainability benefits.

There’s no need to replace equipment that’s still working. Instead, wait until it reaches the end of its life and then switch to a more energy efficient alternative. Choosing efficient replacements could help reduce both your energy consumption and emissions — without putting unnecessary pressure on your budget. Simply think sustainable when it’s time to replace old equipment.

STEP 3: Check you are on the correct energy tariff

Energy contracts can feel like a maze when you’re running a business. When you’re comparing options, it helps to consider both contract length and price structure.

Our business tariffs are a great choice for businesses looking to take a step toward improving their green credentials. All our electricity contracts are 100% renewable with 1, 2 or 3 year terms available.

The key features include:

Take a few minutes to sense-check how the tariff works, what’s fixed vs what’s variable, to help you choose a tariff that best fits how your business operates.

Make sure you’re on a tariff that suits your business needs. You can fid out more about ScottishPower’s tariffs here.  

STEP 4: Install a smart meter so you can continue to manage your energy efficiently

A smart meter is free of charge to install and is a simple first step that makes day-to-day energy management much easier. Installing one can help you to avoid relying on estimates and start using real consumption data.

Useful benefits of a smart meter include:

ScottishPower offers free installation at a time that suits your business, with ongoing support if anything goes wrong. It’s worth taking advantage of it as it’s an easy but powerful tool to stay on top of your energy use.

STEP 5: Download our guide in partnership with The Carbon Trust to turn your checklist into an action plan

We’ve teamed up with industry experts, including The Carbon Trust, to help you identify new ways of reducing your emissions.

This guide is a great way to ensure your checklist becomes a reality as we have everything your business needs in one place including how you could generate extra revenue, save on energy costs and reduce your carbon emissions.

Get in touch today

We have a range of blogs in our Knowledge Hub to support businesses every step of the way or if you’d like to learn more about how to make your business more sustainable visit: Make your business greener ScottishPower business

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