A Guide to Energy Efficiency and Business Continuity
Winter can be a tough time for businesses, with rising energy demands from heating, unpredictable weather, and potential service disruptions all impacting the bottom line. Unlike larger corporates, small businesses often work with tighter budgets and fewer resources, making it critical to prepare for winter and avoid common energy pitfalls. In this short guide, we will take a look at how small businesses can winter-proof their operations, managing costs and keeping both staff and customers safe and comfortable.
Where is Energy Lost in Winter?
- Leaky Building Envelope: Around a quarter of a building’s heat can escape through poorly sealed doors and windows. Gaps and drafts make heating systems work harder, increasing costs. Sealing and weatherproofing can make a big difference.
- Insufficient Insulation: Many premises still lack adequate insulation in walls and roofs, allowing heat to escape. Investing in proper insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut energy bills.
- Unserviced Heating Systems: Boilers, radiators, and heaters that haven’t been maintained often run inefficiently, consuming more energy. Regular servicing helps keep them operating at peak performance and reduces long-term costs.
- Poorly Maintained Equipment: Just like heating systems, machinery that isn’t properly serviced can struggle in colder conditions, using more energy than necessary. Routine checks can prevent inefficiencies.
- Heating Unused Areas: Warming empty rooms or spaces is a common source of waste. Implement zoning or smart controls so you’re heating people, not empty square footage.
- Heat Loss from Open Doors and Windows: It’s not only gaps that cause heat loss - doors and windows left open by staff or visitors can quickly undo your energy-saving efforts. Clear signage and staff awareness can help keep the heat in.
How Small Businesses can Optimise Energy Efficiency in Winter
- Check Insulation and Windows: Inspect windows, doors, and other exposed areas; are there any noticeable breezes or cold spots? In a pinch, draught excluders or quick repairs can bring down your heating bill incrementally, but for a longer term fix, energy-efficient windows and doors can provide significant benefits. If you are looking for somewhere to start, upgrading your single-glazed fittings to double- or even triple-glazing can be a worthwhile investment.
- Conduct an Energy Saving Audit: Before winter begins, carry out an energy audit to identify any areas where energy could be saved, helping you pinpoint areas for improvement. This doesn’t need to be complicated – in its simplest form you can take a walk around your premises with a couple of staff and a notebook, jotting down any assets that are draining energy unnecessarily and cataloguing any fixes that need to be made.
- Service Boilers, Machinery, and Pipework: Most boiler suppliers recommend servicing be carried out at least once a year – but pipework also needs to be inspected for leaks and proper insulation. Check your maintenance records and ensure that any service appointments are booked in advance of the coldest months.
- Invest in Smart Heating: Keep track of when your premises are occupied – are there times where heating could be reduced? By investing in smart heating systems you can more precisely control heating schedules and temperature, and avoid using energy on spaces that are empty after business operating hours.
- Anticipate Holiday Opening Hours: For smaller businesses in particular, business hours may be out of the ordinary over the Christmas and festive holiday periods – whether that is due to business closures in offices, or increased footfall in retail stores. Planning for these periods in advance can help you to avoid spikes in energy consumption, and ensure that any necessary asset maintenance is carried out in advance.
- Behaviour Changes: Encouraging both staff and customers to get on board with energy saving can pay dividends – for example through training sessions for staff, and informational signage for customers. Closing doors and windows and turning off any unused lighting is an easy way to keep heat in the building and avoid wasted electricity.
Remember, preparing for winter isn’t just about staying warm – it is about making sound energy decisions that can benefit both your bottom line and the environment. If you would like to discuss your business energy usage in more detail, reach out to our team here to find out more.
