Business energy bills are a huge part of the outgoings of any business, costing thousands of pounds even for microbusinesses. On top of that, the demand for electricity alone increases by an average of 36% on winter days compared to summer. With this in mind, it’s important that businesses understand how to save energy throughout the colder months of the year. Beyond choosing the best business electricity supplier, there are plenty of energy saving tips that can be employed to reduce energy bills this winter. This blog will outline some of the most straightforward, intuitive ways, so you can enjoy the benefits of savings.   Lowering/programming the thermostat Reducing the temperature even by a couple of degrees can make a big difference to an energy bill. Wearing extra layers and warmer clothes has the potential to save you a significant amount on your bill. Alternatively, some thermostats can be programmed to adjust temperatures based on schedules and occupancy, to minimise heat wastage.   Encourage remote working If possible in the context of your business, winter is the best time to encourage remote working. By doing so, you can minimise the amount of energy used in the office throughout the season. The vast majority of global employees have a positive view of this practice, which means it can be an attractive option for them rather than having to journey through the cold to work.   Insulating your workplace Insulation is vital. While it might not be plausible to do full-blown structural insulation work, there are plenty of inexpensive DIY options that can make a difference when trying to retain heat and save energy. Some easy techniques include: Using a window film Installing heavier curtains and blinds then keeping them shut Foam and polystyrene insulation boards Placing draught excluders at the bottom of doors   These simple techniques can help you to stay under the average winter energy bill.   Audits & maintenance Making sure that all appliances are running properly is essential to ensuring your winter energy payment isn’t unnecessarily inflated. HVAC systems, taps and cooking equipment can all eat through energy when running even a little behind their best. Regularly check on appliances, clean them and book in/perform maintenance to ensure they’re all in their best possible form. Another easy thing to do is ensure that no unnecessary outlets are on when you’re out of the office.   Don’t let winter freeze you out Small businesses alike need to make efforts to save energy, otherwise they could bear the brunt of unrealistic costs. Beyond these tips, it’s also worth investing in energy-efficient technology and even applying for winter energy support if possible. Either way, the right techniques can keep your property in action, even in the coldest months. Check out our blog for more insights into energy consumption. Contact our friendly team for a quick quote to lower your business energy bills this Winter.

With some big changes incoming, we’re taking a closer look at how developments in government, new leadership, policies and legislation can have a direct impact on energy prices and thus your business’ energy bills.   The Factors That Affect Your Business Energy Prices Firstly, let’s consider the key factors that affect your business energy prices and what you pay per month or per year. The global energy market – Fluctuations in the global market can lead to significant shifts in energy costs for businesses, impacting their operating expenses and bottom line. Rising international prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, driving up energy bills Network charges impacting energy bills Energy supplier operating costs and margins influencing prices Energy and climate change policies aimed at: Delivering low-carbon, secure, and affordable energy supplies Helping households and businesses save energy Supporting low-income and vulnerable consumers   Policies Introduced By The Government Renewable Energy Project Approval: The government recently greenlit a massive offshore wind farm project, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade. This project is expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and significantly boost the renewable energy sector.   Tax Reforms on Energy Companies: A new policy has been implemented to increase taxes on fossil fuel companies while offering tax incentives for renewable energy investments. This move is designed to encourage a shift towards greener energy solutions and discourage reliance on non-renewable energy sources.   Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have been introduced, limiting emissions from industrial plants. These regulations are set to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with pollution, showcasing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.   How These Policies Influence Business Energy Tariffs These government policies have a direct impact on energy prices for businesses. With the introduction of renewable energy projects, there is a growing demand for clean energy sources, resulting in increased tariffs to cover the costs of implementing these projects. Similarly, the tax reforms on energy companies can lead to higher costs being passed onto businesses in order to maintain profit margins. This also applies to environmental regulations which may require businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and processes. Moreover, changes in government leadership and shifts in political ideologies can also affect energy prices. Different administrations may prioritise different aspects of the energy sector, resulting in policy changes that again, can impact business energy tariffs   What You Can Do To Manage Your Gas & Electricity Costs While little can be done to change the external influences on your gas and electricity bills, there are things you can do to manage your business energy costs:   Changing Business Energy Suppliers One of the first things you can do is shop around for the best deal.  Conduct a thorough comparison of business energy suppliers to find the best tariff for your specific needs. Look beyond just the price and consider factors such as customer service, stability, and renewable energy options offered by each supplier. Stability would be key, especially in times of economic or political uncertainty. A well-established energy provider may be a more reliable provider when times are uncertain.   Additional Cost-Saving Strategies As well as switching business energy suppliers and shopping for the best deal, there are many other cost-saving strategies a business can undertake. from making energy efficiency upgrades to business premises to simply conducting an energy audit, these measures and steps can make a big difference to your business energy bills. Helping to cut your costs and to future-proof your business for the future of clean energy. Conduct an energy audit of your business Energy-efficiency upgrades Investment into renewable energy Use a smart meter for businesses to track your energy consumption in real-time If you would like more information about renewable energy such as 100% UK wind power or would be interested in receiving a free quote form D-ENERGi for your business energy, do not hesitate to get in touch.

As summer has rolled around and days are slowly but surely warming up, your business premises will be too. With this comes a greater demand for air conditioning. Especially in work places where lots of people are working together in a small space. Offices tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to A/C use, with unlimited access to the controls, individuals will play around with the settings to ensure the temperature is just right for them. However, with consistent use of an air conditioner and HVAC system comes a rise in energy consumption and as a result your business energy bills. In this article we explain how your business’ HVAC system can be optimised to ensure summer energy efficiency and cost savings.   The Importance Of HVAC Servicing & Maintenance One of the most practical things you can do to optimise your HVAC system is to carry out regular servicing and maintenance work. Having qualified engineers review the functioning of your system to complete necessary maintenance work to ensure a quality system will help to reduce expensive breakdowns and your energy consumption. A good system will not require much power in order to run each day, but when your HVAC begins to age or fail, more energy is required to power the system. We suggest having your system serviced at least once per year to check its performance and to ensure any errors in the system are corrected.   Maintain A Regular Temperature In Your Workplace A good way to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and isn’t consuming excessive power, is to maintain a regular temperature. While it may be tempting to adjust the settings throughout the day, switching between a blast of cold air after a long walk to the office, to turning up the heat when the office becomes cool again in the evening, this is not the most energy efficient way to operate. Consuming large amounts of energy in order to switch between settings will cause an increase in your business energy bills. It is far more practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly to stick to a regular, comfortable working temperature throughout the day.   Check For Visible Signs Of Wear & Tear It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your HVAC system, particularly throughout the summer season when the air conditioning will be used more frequently. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage or broken parts. This could include: Gaps in seals Error lights or messages on your system settings Loose parts Poor airflow As well as these signs, many people will notice sounds first. From banging to clanging, squeaking and squealing, a HVAC system that is making a lot of loud noises is likely not in good condition and needs immediate attention from a qualified technician or to be replaced.   Review The Age Of Your System While an older HVAC system can continue to function well, the system should be replaced every 10-20 years to ensure qualified performance. If your HVAC system is becoming dated, it may be time to replace it entirely. However, if you do not have the budget to do this, you could also contact a HVAC technician who may be able to provide replacement parts and offer a service that will optimise your system for a few more years.   To Conclude… While we hope that the sun makes an appearance at some point this year, it is important to consider the use of your HVAC system on hot days. Managing and reducing your energy consumption as much as possible in order to keep your business energy bills low. High business energy bills during the summer months are almost always attributed to the overconsumption of energy from an HVAC system. So, with these tips and tricks, you can manage your energy usage and optimise your system to ensure this summer you are not overspending on energy. For more energy saving tips, check out our blog, and for a free quote, simply get in touch with our team.

When switching from one business energy supplier to another, this process shouldn’t be taken lightly, in fact businesses and business owners should read carefully so as not to be caught out. In this blog we uncover 5 simple things you should be considering before you switch business energy supplier, providing advice on what you should look out for, to ensure you get the best deal for your business.   Compare prices with a variety of energy suppliers One of the first things you should do when considering switching energy suppliers is to compare a range of different suppliers. Specifically business energy suppliers. Those that specialise in supplying gas and electricity to businesses are often the best suited for businesses of all different sizes and with various needs. By comparing competitors you will gain a better understanding of the market. Discovering the average prices across the current market but also identifying differences between each supplier. Some may offer better prices while others may be more expensive but have much higher rated customer satisfaction. It’s important to understand what it is you are looking for so you find the perfect supplier for your business and your requirements. Price comparison sites are often some of the most effective ways to compare, however it is important to bear in mind that some energy suppliers are not included on such sites. Sometimes your own individual research is best.   Check for exit fees with your current energy supplier Before you make a decision about leaving your current energy supplier, be sure to read the small print. Often customers may wish to leave but your contract will put roadblocks in place to stop you from doing this so easily. Speak with your current energy supplier to determine what exit fees may apply and when the best time to change the contract would be. Typically this is within the weeks leading up to your current contract reaching completion. Most businesses and energy customers will start to shop around just before their contract expires, letting their energy suppliers know in advance that they will not be renewing their contract. This is the best way to avoid paying any unexpected fees.   Consider the length of deal you have found If you have found a contract that ticks your boxes, there’s one thing to pay close attention to. This is the length of the contract. Sometimes energy suppliers will make this information less obvious to catch out new customers. The typical energy contract is between 12-24 months, anything longer than that should be reconsidered or given a closer inspection.   Read reviews of your chosen energy supplier Often something that is overlooked but is so important, is customer reviews and satisfaction ratings. Understanding the services your potential new energy supplier offers will give you a good idea of what you can expect once you sign a contract with them. Hearing what others have to say about them on Trustpilot, especially businesses in a similar industry to your own, will help you in making your decision. Afterall, customer service makes up a huge part of the company’s role, making sure all energy customers are receiving the services they need.   Look beyond your quote If you’ve requested a quote from an energy supplier and you’re happy with the price, you should be cautious in your next steps. While this final price may sound great, there could be some hidden costs or a chance that this price will change. Be sure to get details about your quote, what it means, what it covers, and other terms and conditions that may apply. While reading the small print isn’t the most enjoyable part of signing a contract, it will certainly save you in the long run.   At D-ENERGi we can provide you with a free quote, providing some of the most competitive and unbeatable prices for business energy customers. We are also providing excellent customer services with 5-star rated on Trustpilot. If you’re looking for a change, get a quick quote from us and see how much you could save on your business energy bills.