Energy costs are a significant factor in every business’ running costs.
While there’s not much you can do to avoid using any energy, there are ways to minimise your usage to manage your energy expenses.
An energy efficient business can be more productive and competitive, less expensive to operate, and has less exposure to fluctuating energy prices.
You may be able to reduce your energy consumption or expenses by:
- shifting your energy use to cheaper periods
- choosing energy-efficient options, such as using equipment efficiently and replacing it before it ‘burns’ excess fuel
- switching to alternative energy
- involving your employees in being ‘energy innovative’.
You can reduce the cost of maintaining equipment by using it more efficiently or upgrading before it deteriorates or its performance is affected.
The Energy Efficiency Council helps Australian industry, governments and businesses identify how they can use less energy and be smart about the energy they do use. Its members are verified providers of advice and services to help businesses manage their energy use.
If you’ve based your business at home, you may wish to make use an energy testing kit, available for booking from most libraries, or work through a home energy audit.
Becoming known as an ‘energy aware’ business is also a valuable promotional tool, both in marketing to like-minded partners and customers and in attracting staff.