The first step in energy savings is to find out how much and where your business is using energy. Let's start with your power bill.
Measure your energy usage
Collect your power bills for the last two years and if you can, plot them on a graph to help you see any trends and variances. Typically your energy use increases over winter with additional heating etc. If you would like more detailed information, you can contact your energy supplier for further breakdowns, including daily and even hourly breakdowns. This may help you work out when your peak times are and how you can manage these peaks. Depending on your energy use, you may be better on a different supply plan - again, you'll need to contact your energy supplier.
Consider other ways you pay for and use energy that are not included in your monthly bill, including fuel, water and packaging.
Monitor your energy usage
When monitoring your energy use, make sure the power bills you are reading are for actual readings rather than estimates. Once you start actively monitoring your energy use, you will begin to identify aspects of your business that may be inflating your bill. Keep a note of key changes in production or key events that may impact on your power bill to help you understand any spikes in usage that occur.
Manage and minimise your energy usage
Once you know how much you are spending on energy and what you can expect from future energy bills, you can start to manage and minimise your energy use. Wherever you look, there are ways to save - heating, cooling, lighting, water, paper - check out out tips on Saving Energy Today.
If you want more tips on a more indepth approach to managing your energy use, visit EECA's Business website.
