How much money can you save
There's some really easy ways to cut your business utility bills without any investment at all. But if you do buy energy saving products or appliances you'll not only save money off your bills, you may be able to claim 100% tax relief in the year of purchase thanks to the
enhanced capital allowance scheme. This means you can off-set the whole cost of the equipment against your taxable profits for that year.
Energy saving tips
The Carbon Trust provides
free energy saver starter packs which'll help your business take some simple energy saving measures and help you
reduce your business carbon footprint.
You'll get an energy saving fact sheet, with specific energy saving tips relevant to your business, and a poster and stickers to help motivate your staff to take simple energy saving measures.
Simple ways to make savings on your electricity and lighting bills
- Turn off lights in empty rooms and corridors
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Set an overnight lighting policy using minimal or, better still, no lighting
- Keep windows and skylights clean and clear so you can use natural daylight wherever possible
- Keep light fittings clean and use energy efficient bulbs
- Switch off all non-essential equipment if it's not being used
- Make it company policy to switch off all PCs overnight
Simple ways to make savings on your heating bills
- Don’t overheat the place! at least 16°C for an office (but 19°C is more comfortable), less for areas where strenuous work is carried out. It’s estimated that for every 1°C increase in temperature, your business energy costs rise by 8%
- Don't heat work spaces that aren't being used
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Don't block radiators with furniture as it reduces their efficiency
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Turn heating to a minimum when no one's around such as weekends or public holidays
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Put thermostats out of draughts or cold or hot spots - the fluctuations in temperature make it difficult to regulate properly
- Keep windows closed in cold weather - if it’s too hot turn the heating down
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Draft proof windows and doors
- Have your heating system regularly maintained or you could be adding as much as 10% to your business electricity bill
Check your business energy bills
- Make sure you know how much you're actually spending on utilities
- Check your energy consumption (electricity, gas and oil) figures regularly
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Check your energy bills relate to actual usage rather than an estimate
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Shop around and be prepared to switch supplier if you can get a better deal
Reporting your energy or carbon emissions
If you're concerned about your energy or carbon emissions, or the impact your business has on the environment, you can measure your carbon footprint here:
How to calculate your organisation's Carbon Footprint
Once you've measured your footprint you can set targets for reduction. Small businesses don't currently need to report carbon emissions but there's nothing stopping you doing so. Reporting your emissions shows you are monitoring them and that, as an organisation, you're taking your corporate social responsibility obligations seriously. The Climate Change Act 2008 stipulates that the Government, via the Companies Act, must make reporting emissions mandatory by 6 April 2012, although it's not clear which size/type of business this will apply to.
For large users of energy the measuring and reporting of emissions will help get the necessary processes in place before the Carbon Trading Scheme came into effect on 1 April 2010.
NOW WATCH THIS VIDEO ON RECYCLING YOUR BUSINESS WASTE