How to Improve Business Energy Efficiency

Business energy costs are rising due to geo-political events leading to peak oil prices. Net Zero targets are also looming as concerns continue to increase on global warming. Businesses in all sectors need joined-up thinking to play their part. So let’s consider how to improve business energy efficiency to increase their sustainability and decrease their environmental impact.

Upgrade Technology

In general, new technology equipment is more energy efficient than something several years old, so if you want to improve energy efficiency in your business, make sure your systems are updated with the latest systems and devices. Of course, machinery will differ depending on the industry you work in.

If you work in an office environment, you might be interested in the most energy-efficient computers, printers, and scanners; but if you work in the construction industry, you are more likely to require an update to industrial machinery like a heavy lift crane to reduce costs.

Include Employees

Unless your employees are on board with energy efficiency and Net Zero targets, your business won’t be as efficient as it could be. Make sure your employees are in line with your policies by explaining the importance of energy saving to the business and what is expected of them.  This is the low-hanging fruit of energy efficiency in the business as it should be straightforward to implement.

Including employees in your Net Zero journey is vital and you should expect them to be responsive to the ideas presented in workshops and meetings. It’s important to sustain the general interest in Net Zero with regular meetings and to monitor results.

Monitor Costs

In order to implement a Net Zero strategy that will be successful in the long term, you need to have some way to monitor costs. The first thing to do is establish a baseline that measures the energy needed to operate now and the predicted future usage over the short and long term.  This information is then used to compare performance and targets with the day-to-day reality.  Any necessary adjustments can then be made to business practices.

Some businesses have trouble establishing a baseline, they may lack the expertise or are too busy focusing on other parts of the business; in this case, what’s needed is a consultant or third party to set up a baseline system. Monitoring heating costs is one of the best ways to make savings in the business.

Heating Solutions

Monitoring your heating usage is one thing, but you also need to improve your heating solutions and make your business future-proof and sustainable. One of the ways you can do this is by switching to renewable energy by installing an innovative heating system.

Heat pumps and biomass boilers are two of the best ways to upgrade and improve the heating systems in the business to make your company more sustainable and to help achieve a Net Zero society.

Final Thoughts

Everyone and every business need to play their part. Taking an active role in doing everything achievable to reduce any potential harm will be good for the sustainability of the business and of the planet. Potential customers will be more inclined to trade with a company that takes the impact of its carbon footprint seriously. So it really is a win-win all around.

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