24 Jan
Electricity Costs: Which Appliances in Your Business Use the Most Electricity?
Posted on Jan 24, 2022
by D-ENERGi
From fridges and kettles to computers and printers, your business probably uses a wide variety of appliances on a daily basis. When you want to compare energy prices is it important to know which of these electrical appliances are the biggest drain on your electricity costs. So, let’s take a look at how D-ENERGi can help you bring your business electricity prices down – and improve your green credentials in the process.
Calculating the electric consumption of appliances
The simplest way to check how much electricity an appliance consumes is to look at its power rating – a label stating the number of watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) can usually be found on the back or base.
This number gives you the average electrical consumption of the item when it is in use, but to find out how much it will cost to run you need to know your business electricity rates per kWh. A kWh is a unit of electrical energy equivalent to the power consumption of 1000 W per hour.
So, if your business electricity rate per kWh is 12p and you run a 50W laptop for 8 hours it will cost you (50/1000) x 12 x 8 which is 4.8p a day.
Typical electrical appliances that use the most energy
Of course, the appliances that use the most energy in your workplace will depend on the type of equipment you use and how you use it, but the most common energy users include:
- Air Conditioners – 4000W
- Desktop Computers – 100W
- Fridges – 80W
- Laptops – 50W
- Lightbulbs – 60W
- Photocopiers – 70W (when on standby)
- Printers – 60W (when on standby)
- Servers – 1000W
Does leaving electrical appliances plugged in use electricity?
It is important for business owners to realise that it isn’t a myth, many appliances will continue to consume electricity when they are left in standby mode. For example, if one member of staff leaves their laptop plugged in, even when it is fully charged, this could use around 4.5kW per week or 234 kWh a year – which can push your electricity bill right up.
For this reason, it is really important to remind employees to switch off their appliances at the main when they have finished using them – if possible. You could invest in some power strips for them so that they can turn everything off in one go – make it easy for them.
Easy ways to save electricity in the workplace
There are lots of simple things you and your employees can do to save electricity in the workplace including:
- Turning off appliances when not in use
- Switch from traditional light bulbs to LED’s
- Upgrade to an intelligent air conditioning, heating, and ventilation system
- Switch to more efficient technology when replacing items
One of the best ways to save on your business energy bills, however, is to let the D-ENERGi team compare your business energy prices per kWh rates to make sure you are on the best deal for you.
Making one of your employees an energy champion can be a very effective way of controlling energy costs and the Carbon Trust has published a number of tips for how to make the best of such a role.
They include:
Reporting energy waste they notice, such as equipment left on unnecessarily.
Ensuring equipment and machinery are well-maintained and working efficiently.
Contributing and gathering ideas for improving the way things are done.
Testing and implementing new processes.
Communicating good practice and being an ambassador for change.
It’s also vital that your energy champion has the visible support of top management and all the necessary resources they need to be effective.
According to the Carbon Trust approach, the energy champion should:
Be the eyes and ears for energy wastage.
Be responsible for reading meters and checking fuel bills.
Develop a weekly or monthly checklist of duties.
Consider forming an action team to report on progress and encourage further action.
A good way of identifying waste initially is to stage an energy walkabout. Because your energy usage patterns will vary throughout the day, the walkabout times should be varied to match, for example, when the cleaners are in, at lunch, and at night or over weekends.
From these walks, your energy champion can identify where energy is being wasted and the possible reasons. Is it a lack understanding, are procedures being overlooked, is repair or necessary to reduce energy costs, or there is a need for capital investment.
We’re proud business energy suppliers with a passion for supporting companies of various sizes, whether with competitive gas tariffs, electricity or 100% UK wind power. Contact our team today to learn more.
We’re proud business energy suppliers with a passion for supporting companies of various sizes, whether with competitive gas tariffs, electricity or 100% UK wind power.
Contact our team today to learn more.
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Finding Cheap Business Electricity
Finding cheap business electricity can be challenging when every supplier offers such competitive rates. This is why you should make the effort to shop around and receive as many quotes you possibly can. Although this may be a chore, it is regarding one of the main factors within your business – money.
Ofgem Recommendations
The leading regulatory body, Ofgem recommend that you shop around for electricity rates, at least every three years to ensure you are being delivered the best tariff for your business electricity needs. When we say shop around, we mean the whole market. Do your research, look into energy suppliers that you may never have heard of previously, try to look further into suppliers that don’t fall under The Big Six.
We are only a phone call away…
If you are looking to seek consultancy with regards to your electricity, D-ENERGi can review your electricity and advise you on what is best for you and your business when it comes to electricity. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0800 871 7626 to speak with one of our experienced Account Managers in house to help you understand your own electricity as appose to developing knowledge in generic electricity rates. Every businesses electricity needs are highly unique and you should not feel as though there is only one route you can take.
Hidden costs in electricity
Something that isn’t outlined from every supplier is the fact that there are several other charges that relate to electricity supply. We like you to be involved and we want you to have a 100% understanding on just where your electricity budget money is heading.
Some electricity quotes can be referred to as a mine field quote which can be presented in many different manners and can prove to show hidden costs. We are able to give you a cost analysis penny-to-penny of what and where you are spending your money on your business electricity.
P272
P272 is a new regulation given by Ofgem which affects around 167,000 businesses. P272 is mandatory and affects the way all electricity suppliers settle electricity consumption for businesses within a specified energy use. This will result in sites being migrated from non-half hourly meters (NHH) to half hourly meters (HH), and enable suppliers to produce more accurate bills.
More information and an infographic regarding P272 can be found here. If you would like to read our blog on P272 this can also be found here.
Get competitive rates today with a free quote
If you wish to seek electricity or any energy consultancy we are here until 5.00pm everyday ready to answer any questions you may have. Please call 0800 781 7626 for further information.
You can receive a free, no obligation quote here and start to compare electricity rates today!
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