How to get the most out of your business utilities
Business utilities include electricity, gas and heating and are just as essential for commercial premises as they are for residential properties.
From your air conditioning and refrigeration solutions to complete electrical systems, your planned maintenance and day to day usage policies will determine the efficiency and lifespan of your current utilities.
Let’s take a look at four ways to make the most of your business utilities and reduce your costs.
Switch off equipment when it’s not in use
This is one of the simplest but most effective ways of keeping your energy bills down. There’s no sense paying to power appliances that you aren’t using. Try to get everyone in your business in the habit of switching everything off when it’s not in use. Your energy provider may have posters available to print off and display to encourage staff.
Replace old and inefficient equipment
Business appliances, like household appliances, have become much more energy-efficient with time. Running a modern appliance costs less than it would with an appliance from a decade ago. The difference might seem small on paper, but for appliances that are powered for most of the workday, that difference will add up over time.
Schedule regular maintenance sessions
You should arrange for planned maintenance of your essential utilities and systems at least once a year. If a business is caught with expired gas safety certificates, they can find themselves facing serious penalties. Regular maintenance sessions ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
Use timers and sensors to control power
Turning appliances off when you are finished with them means you aren’t wasting money powering something that no one is using. However, this relies on people getting into good habits. Using sensors and timers is a more reliable alternative.
With timers and sensors, you can ensure that appliances are only turned on when there is someone there to benefit from them. For example, switching to motion-activated lights can significantly reduce a business’ electricity bills, especially in larger properties.
Similarly, using motion sensors to activate CCTV cameras means they will automatically record anything that moves in front of them. You won’t have to pay to power them and save data from them continually.
Learning to use your utilities more efficiently will naturally reduce your costs and ensure you are getting what you pay for from your providers. There are many more simple steps you can take to enhance their effectiveness further.
