Care Home Energy Challenges and Saving Tips

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!