How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Your Business’s Bottom Line

Energy Efficiency 20th August 2024

In today’s world, energy efficiency is more than just being able to save money on utility bills, it’s also about enhancing profitability and sustainability in the future.

If you have a small business, you might think that this is complex, but in reality, it doesn’t have to be complicated process. Small changes make a big impact and set the stage for discussing its broader benefits in the long run.

What does it mean to be energy-efficient?

Energy efficiency means performing the same task or achieving the same level of output but utilising the least amount of energy resources possible. With this, you can eliminate energy waste from energy production to energy consumption.

By reducing energy consumption, energy-efficient practices and technologies bring various benefits that play a crucial role in saving costs, protecting the environment, and enhancing overall energy sustainability.

Some of the straightforward things that you can do in your business premises, or even at home, is switching to LED lighting and other energy-efficient appliances. But how do you know that the things you use are energy-efficient? Step one, check for energy efficiency labels.

Energy Efficiency Labels

The energy label is a tag that tells you the energy efficiency of a device for sale. A label scale is followed for easier identification. It had all started around 30 years ago when energy-consuming household appliances were subjected to EU Energy Labelling requirements to help consumers identify energy-efficient products. Through the years of renditions on the labels, the color-graded ‘A-to-G’ style EU Energy Label is one of the widely recognised labels for appliances. The labels are A, B, and C to be the Most Efficient, D and E are Moderate Consumption, and F and G are High Consumption.

Appliances like refrigerators and freezers; washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers; electric ovens and microwaves and; domestic light sources are the types of household appliances where certification is mandatory in Europe.

Energy-Efficient Practices and Technologies

Energy efficiency is implemented in everything as people are trying to do what they can to be more environmentally friendly, reducing emissions and carbon footprints.

Over the years of innovation toward a greener future, there have been many changes and practices seen in society like in architecture and planning.

Buildings

Zero-energy buildings are what building designers are looking to optimise building efficiency and other renewable energy technologies. This practice ranges from simple measures like using LED bulbs and other energy-efficient appliances as you have learned above with the reading of energy-efficient labels, to more extensive upgrades such as improving insulation and weatherproofing.

Energy Generation and Distribution

Energy generation and distribution are easily seen in the Smart Grid. For those who are new to this term, this is a system that improves the efficiency of electric generation to a low carbon economy, proper distribution of energy, and consumption while minimising costs to consumers.

In connection to this, a new energy-saving technology has emerged lately in the UK that aims to improve efficiency in buildings installing a new heating technology in Britannia House in Bradford city centre. This shows how much progress we are getting towards a greener future.

Vehicles and Transportation

You might have already heard about energy-efficient vehicles advertised to use less fuel to cover a given distance. This solution generates fewer emissions and, therefore, is incredibly less expensive to operate.

In connection to vehicles, the transport of goods, or what we call freight, can also be a good way to be more energy-efficient by shifting long-distance freight transport from trucks to rail which saves both time on transport and emissions along the way.

Financial Benefits of Energy Efficiency

Investing in measures that improve energy efficiency has very positive effects in all kinds of ways. Apart from the positive environmental benefits that energy efficiency brings, another main benefit that stands out to a business owner might be how it helps with cost reduction.

Compared to the past, companies are starting to realise that they can manage their energy usage, and the amount of energy consumed by your organisation can directly influence its financial outcomes, either positively or negatively. Remember, lower energy consumption means a reduction in energy bills.

Moreover, with the world slowly becoming more environmentally conscious, prioritising energy efficiency can strengthen your brand’s reputation, leading to enhanced business performance and increased market value of your business.

Another thing to take note of is how this can increase the health and performance of your team. A study made by the Journal Frontiers of Psychology found that employees for companies that take energy efficiency seriously tend to be more productive, on average. We all know that the most important part of a business is its employees, and to look after their being above all always shows a positive outcome to businesses.

Remember, even small changes could make big things happen for your business in the future. However, if your business is looking into bigger solutions getting advice from energy specialists is always a good choice to be able to see where your company is at when it comes to energy efficiency. Reach out to a member of our team who’ll be happy to chat through your business and it’s energy efficiency measures.