10 Jan
Care Home Energy Challenges and Saving Tips
Posted on Jan 10, 2025
by Pace Chan
There are around 17,000 care homes in the UK and they all need a reliable supply of energy. However, care home energy concerns can get in the way of proper care provision, especially with public spending declining regularly. The challenges facing care homes span far and wide, especially in the case of non-profit and NHS-run organisations.
In this piece, we’re going to focus on the concerns surrounding energy when running a care home, expanding on why they’re so relevant and offering some insight into how they might be solved.
Fixed budgets
Having a limited budget is a widespread concern, especially in council-run care homes. Countless different elements contribute to care home energy costs, making it hard for smaller operations to keep up with bills. Alongside energy bills, care homes also have to pay for:
- Staffing different departments
- Food for residents and staff
- Building mortgages/rent
- Any entertainment elements (TV packages/streaming services)
- Rare & regular care home maintenance jobs
Keeping up with all of these costs, alongside energy bills, can be challenging with a smaller budget. Having to prioritise certain elements over others is a painful process that will ultimately have a negative impact on the residents.
Comfort & climate
The elderly residents of care homes are far more vulnerable to low temperatures, which can drive up energy bills considerably. Running a care home requires warmth, and with heating bills impacting everyone in the country, the crisis is particularly impactful on these operations.
Maintaining quality of care
As touched upon above, running a care home involves a lot of moving parts, which is why energy bills amid the crisis can make it a lot harder to maintain a certain standard of care. Being under financial instability makes it harder for care homes to operate in general, which in turn can discourage people from choosing specific homes, contributing to a cycle of financial strife.
Tips for combatting rising care home energy costs
With energy costs so high, it’s important to understand how to become more efficient when running a care home. This will make it easier to manage the bills and ensure high level of care quality.
- Invest in better insulation for the property – it will cost money in the short term but save on the amount of heating required in the long run
- Use smart technology such as smart LED lightbulbs, thermostatic radiator valves and smart thermostats to minimise unnecessary consumption
- Generally installing more energy efficient appliances and technologies, such as kettles (sure to see a lot of action in a care home!)
- Switch to a greener energy source such as solar or wind power – these renewable sources are generally cheaper and more efficient
If you’re facing challenges with a care home energy budget, it could be time to switch tariffs to a different provider. By choosing a business energy provider like D-Energi, you could find a more sustainable, more competitive priced alternative to your current provision. Check out our site for more information and keep caring!
Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!
Looking for a business gas quote? Fed up of long waiting times. Why not give us a try, you may not of heard of us before but our customers love us. Rated within the top 5 gas suppliers on Trustpilot. View our customer reviews page. We have been supplying business gas for 15 years based in the heart of Manchester. We are a small family energy business and not part of the Big Six – we can not only match their business gas quote rates, but on most occasions beat them.
Our friendly UK based call centre will guarantee your call to be answered in a maximum of five rings and no long waiting times.
We offer a friendly and personalised service, account managers are dedicated solemnly to you so any query or issue you may have is dealt with by an expert. This way we have built a loyal growing portfolio of hotels, care homes, schools who all use us as their preferred business gas supplier.
Managing your finances in your business is important and is something that cannot be dealt with light heartedly. This is what drives us to give you the best fixed prices we can offer. With a fixed price business gas quote from D-ENERGi, you know specifically how much you will pay on your gas bill every single month.
You may now be thinking why should I get a business gas quote from D-ENERGi? We have had plenty of practise forging the best energy deals and in negotiating exclusive deals higher up the supply chain so we can pass the savings on to you.
Get a free no obligation business gas quote from D-ENERGi or call 0800 781 7626.
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The majority of businesses require considerable more electricity than the average home. This can work in your favour as it can enhance your negotiation price with your commercial energy supplier – in most cases.
Finding the perfect deal for your commercial electricity rates can be quite tedious and time consuming.
As a result you will find that most businesses use a specialised energy broker experienced in energy negotiation, which is understandable. However most energy brokers will typically add in a margin on the unit rates and standing charge so they can generate a commission on the energy a businesses may consume. Therefore the most reliable way to getting the best deal is by directly calling commercial energy suppliers yourself and shopping around. You may be surprised about the fact that by speaking to a commercial energy supplier direct, like ourselves, you may able to get better commercial electricity rates.
D-ENERGi is a direct commercial energy supplier, fill in our quote form and receive a free, no obligation quote from us. Or if you would prefer to talk to us direct, call on 0800 781 7626. We are a leading commercial independent energy supplier based in the heart of Manchester. A small energy supplier working under the radar of the big six for over 15 years. We know how it feels when you are being passed from pillar to post and having to endure long waiting times when trying to resolve a customer query, which is why we have a 3 ring guarantee to all our customers.
All energy suppliers will try and persuade you to allow them to supply your business electricity, but we want to ensure you that with a D-ENERGi quote you will feel no pressure – it is completely your decision, only you know what is best for your business and its energy needs.
In the 1990’s a deregulation occurred which changed the game. Both domestic and business energy customers all over the UK can become a customer to the energy supplier of your choice. Once you switch suppliers, the only change you will notice is a different company logo on your bill and considerably lower charges.
The ‘Big 6’ energy suppliers admittedly supply the majority of businesses in the UK but if you shop around, you should notice smaller, less popular suppliers could help you and your business save amounts you wouldn’t believe – it’s worth switching your investigation mode on!
Comparing electricity prices
Comparing the prices for electricity can and will help you find what it is exactly that you need for finding the cheapest rates. Proceed with the following steps to learn how to compare electricity rates to the best of your ability:
Find a recent if not the most recent electricity bill from your current supplier.
Look around for a trusted electricity price comparison site, ensure the site you find offers you a whole market view, some of them will only show you plans you can switch to via their company
Fill in the data captures with your electricity usage details as requested – this is so you can receive the most accurate results which are specific to your region and consumption
Review your electricity comparison results – switching online could save you hundreds or you may just be checking to see how your current electricity plan compares to the rest of the market.
Enjoy your savings!
Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!
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