With the cost of gas and electricity at an all-time high, now more than ever businesses are looking to minimise their energy output. To make things easier, this post runs through four tips for business energy efficiency…
Rising energy costs are not just a budget concern. For many organisations, they directly affect operational resilience, pricing decisions and long-term planning. Improving energy efficiency is one of the most reliable ways to reduce exposure to volatile energy prices while also supporting environmental targets and compliance obligations.
For facilities managers and business owners, the most effective improvements are often practical rather than complex. Small changes, applied consistently across a site, can deliver meaningful savings without disrupting day-to-day operations.
The biggest energy cost in a workplace is usually the heating. It can account for up to 40% of energy use in a commercial building. So, what things should you look out for when trying to cut costs?
Heating inefficiencies are often linked to how buildings are used rather than faults alone. Extended operating hours, changes in occupancy or the use of temporary heaters can all undermine the performance of a central heating system.
It is also worth reviewing thermostat settings and zoning. Heating areas that are rarely occupied or maintaining higher temperatures than necessary can quietly drive up costs. While adjustments should always be made carefully and safely, reviewing heating control strategies can deliver savings without compromising comfort.
Many businesses use timer switches to make sure lighting and heating goes off after working hours. They are easy to install and effective in saving electricity. Use a calendar reminder to set your timers so you don’t have any concerns over whether lights are off.
Motion sensors are a low cost and effective way to improve business energy efficiency. Movement and daylight sensors are used for internal and external lighting, so lights are only on when you really need them.
Timers and sensors do more than reduce wasted energy. They also remove reliance on manual processes, which are often inconsistent across teams and shifts. Automated controls help ensure that energy-saving measures are applied evenly, regardless of who is on site.
For businesses operating across multiple locations, this consistency can make energy usage easier to predict and manage. It also reduces the risk of lighting or heating being left on overnight, at weekends or during holiday periods.
Using LED lighting has many advantages for business energy efficiency:
If you need continuous lighting in certain areas, consider lighter colours in the room or using reflective paint to show your LED light off in the best light (pun intended).
While the upfront cost of upgrading to LED lighting can be higher than replacing like-for-like fittings, the long-term savings are significant. Reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance requirements and fewer lamp replacements all contribute to a shorter payback period.
LED upgrades can also improve lighting quality, which supports safer working environments and can have a positive impact on productivity, particularly in offices, warehouses and educational settings.
Carrying out an energy audit will give you a much clearer idea of the areas you need improvement in. It will tell you if your business is living up to its eco potential and if you are cutting costs where you could be.
An effective audit pinpoints areas of waste and shows you how to move forward to reduce your energy consumption. Even better, you can kill two birds with one stone by auditing energy as part of your existing obligations. This includes both the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR).
The value of an energy audit lies in what happens next. Clear, prioritised recommendations allow businesses to focus on measures that deliver the greatest return, rather than attempting to address everything at once.
Audits also provide a baseline for tracking improvement over time. By understanding where energy is currently being used, businesses can measure the impact of changes and make informed decisions about future investment.
Energy efficiency is not only influenced by how electricity is used. It is also affected by the condition of the electrical systems supplying it. Loose connections, overloaded circuits and ageing distribution equipment can all increase electrical losses, leading to higher energy consumption and a greater risk of faults.
Preventative maintenance plays an important role here. Regular checks help identify early signs of wear before they escalate into failures that cause downtime or disruption. From an operational perspective, this supports consistent performance during peak demand periods. From a safety perspective, it reduces the risk of overheating, nuisance tripping or more serious electrical incidents.
Electrical Installation Condition Reports provide a structured way to assess the condition of fixed wiring and distribution systems. When combined with planned maintenance, they help ensure installations remain suitable for how a building is used today, not just how it was originally designed. Taking a proactive, compliance-led approach supports safer operation while also helping businesses avoid unnecessary energy waste.
If you want to improve business energy efficiency, Volta Compliance can help. Working with businesses throughout Yorkshire, we can provide a comprehensive audit as part of our ESOS services.
As well as advising on areas for improvement, we can assist with implementing changes, including high-quality LED lighting at your premises. To get started, simply call us on 0113 436 0402 or email info@voltacompliance.com.
