You must pay your gas and electricity bills every month to run your company. While it’s understandable that you might be feeling overwhelmed by the various acronyms and percentages that appear on your electric bills, you must pay attention to your energy consumption and how much it’s costing you in terms of money. The bottom line and the long-term success of your company are always top priorities for every business owner.
To gain a better understanding of your electricity usage and billing, consider the following five suggestions:
1) Identify Your Largest Energy Consumers
Your smart meter should be able to tell you when energy consumption at your company is at its highest. Another method of gaining a better understanding of your power use is to identify the most energy-intensive components of your company.
The likelihood is that systems continually in operation, such as HVAC and refrigerators, are at fault. The longer you leave an appliance running, the more energy it consumes, and the higher your energy bill will become. However, little inefficiencies, such as out-of-date light bulbs, may significantly increase your energy costs if there are enough of them.
2) Install a Smart Meter in the Building
Did you know that your company may be equipped with an energy meter that tracks its energy consumption? Although metering technology has advanced in recent years, these meters may still be difficult to read, if not impossible, to access.
If you want to reduce your energy expenditures, consider placing a smart meter in your company. You’ll need to get in touch with your energy provider to request the use of these technologically advanced meters with digital capabilities. Smart meters serve as energy monitors, recording your energy use in real-time to have fewer surprises on your next utility bill.
3) Look Over Your Utility Bill
Do you give your energy bill a cursory scan every month when it arrives in your inbox? You are not alone in your feelings. Only a small percentage of company owners examine their monthly invoices.
Getting started has never been easier or more affordable. Take a look at your energy bills over the last several months. Is there a big difference in your consumption from month to month? Is there a pattern emerging?
If you’re paying a lot in additional utility expenses, you should check into switching your energy supplier. You may lower your energy costs by lowering your use, but increased utility charges aren’t good either.
Also, double-check the math on your bill. Nobody is flawless, and there is always the possibility that the energy provider overlooked something. If this is the case, contact them and advise them of the mistake in a kind manner.
4) Compute the Amount of Time Energy is Needed For
Once you understand what kWh stands for, you can figure out how much energy your company is using. How much energy are you using right now? And what can you do to cut down on your energy use and, as a result, your monthly energy bills?
Assuming you’re utilizing a 500-watt appliance and dividing 500 watts by 1,000, the kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 0.50. Put it another way, and if you operate the appliance for an hour straight, you’ll use 0.5 watts of electricity.
The first step towards lowering your company’s energy costs is raising awareness. Recognize which appliances use the most energy so that you can make some acceptable modifications
5) Understand the Concept of Energy Measurement
Your energy bill contains a great deal of technical jargon, making it difficult to determine your actual electricity consumption. You should be aware that your utility company measures energy consumption in kilowatts, abbreviated as kW. This is important to know before taking any action. You can understand more about the complex math by breaking down the electric demand charge on your bill.
For example, a desk lamp that uses an 80-watt light bulb. Because there are 1,000 watts in a kilowatt, that lamp will consume 0.08 kilowatts in an hour due to the 1,000 watts per kilowatt.
This appears to be a good deal at first glance, but keep in mind that the number of electronic devices in your business and the number of hours you spend operating them can significantly increase your bill.
Wrapping Up
Use energy-saving solutions such as Energy Star appliances and LED lights to see which ones work best for you. Regular HVAC tune-ups may also help you save money on energy costs. Several appliances use a significant amount of energy to operate, such as lights, computers, and printers. Make sure to switch off lights and appliances, utilize power-saving mode, and set timers to avoid wasting energy—and paying for it.
