Running a small business, whether you have your own cafe, boutique clothing store, repair shop, or florist, is not always easy. There’s lots to consider and plan for, and with a small team this can create a number of jobs for one or two people to juggle. One of the biggest challenges for small business owners is managing finances and keeping on top of this.  When it comes to managing business expenses like water, electricity, and gas, it is important to plan and prepare for increases and unexpected bills. Not only will this allow you to budget and avoid nasty surprises, you will be preventing these unexpected expenses from creating any damaging holes in the company wallet.   Why might you incur an unexpected expense?  Unexpected expenses can come from just about anything and anyone. Business expenses are guaranteed and are required to be paid in order to keep your business running. Although expenses like rent and business insurance are important, in this blog we are focusing on business utilities, which includes bills like energy and water.  Despite paying monthly for your business energy, it is not uncommon for business energy bills to rise and fall. The same can also be said for water bills. When your demand and usage for electricity, gas, and water increases, so too do your bills.  During uncertain times, such as a cost of living crisis or the global energy crisis that occurred between 2021-2023, energy costs can and will quickly change. Your business energy rates are therefore subject to change unexpectedly. Although business energy suppliers will give you some notice, market changes can happen overnight and may require a big increase to your monthly payments. Having some awareness of the risks that the market can pose on your expenses is important for ensuring you have some money put aside in case of such events.   Monitoring your small business energy charges  Monitoring your small business energy charges is important for a number of reasons: It can help you to identify areas where you can reduce your energy consumption, which can save you money on your bills. It can help you to identify any unusual spikes in your energy usage, which could be indicative of a problem with your equipment or infrastructure. It can help you to track your energy consumption over time, which can help you to set realistic energy efficiency targets. There are a number of ways to monitor your small business energy charges. One simple way is to keep track of your energy bills over time. This will give you a good idea of how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you. Another way to monitor your energy usage is to install a smart meter. Smart meters are devices that track your energy consumption in real time. They can be installed on your electricity and gas meters, and will provide you with a detailed breakdown of your energy usage by appliance or area of your business. This information can be particularly useful in helping you identify specific areas of your business where you may be able to cut down on energy usage and lower your energy costs overall.    Government support for small businesses While there are options for small businesses to help tackle unexpected costs, the UK government also offer a number of services and schemes to support small businesses. For example, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme which is currently running until April 2024. We have provided further information about applying for the scheme and the support offered on our blog.

As a business owner, you may have a lot on your plate running your small business. From managing employees and finances to marketing and sales, the list can seem endless. Amidst these tasks, one aspect that often gets overlooked is energy consumption. In our latest blog we will offer some tips on how to pay close attention to your business’ energy usage, and also provide our advice on what to do if you are currently dealing with rising energy bills.    Why your energy usage is so important  Energy consumption is an integral part of running a small business, and it impacts your bottom line in more ways than one. Energy is a significant expense for most businesses. The cost of electricity, gas, and other forms of energy can grow quickly and significantly impact your monthly budget.  Moreover, being mindful of your energy usage can also have a positive  impact on the environment. By reducing your energy consumption, you can decrease your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.   How to determine your business’ energy usage The first step in understanding how much energy your small business is using is to track and monitor it. This can be done through utility bills and by paying attention to the equipment and appliances you use on a daily basis.  However, thanks to the wonders of digital technology we can now also review energy usage with a handy smart meter. A device that allows you to see your energy consumption in real-time. With a digital display you can choose to see for yourself how much energy your appliances use but also how much this will cost you. At D-ENERGi we have been supporting the smart meter roll out, providing our business energy customers with installations and set up, more here.  Another way to determine your energy usage is by conducting an energy audit. This involves a professional auditor coming into your business premises and evaluating your business’ energy efficiency and identifying areas where improvements can be made. These energy audits can provide you with a wealth of information and advice on how to reduce your consumption and save money. If you’re struggling to identify areas of your business where you may be able to save, we would recommend an energy audit.    What to do with rising energy bills If your energy bills are continuously rising, one of the first things you should be doing is addressing your energy consumption. Being able to pay close attention to your usage and reduce the use of particular appliances or machinery, in periods when they are not required, will make a big difference to your energy bills.  If you are concerned about your energy usage or do not understand the information provided on your energy bills, contact the D-ENERGi team for advice and guidance.

Throughout the day there are peaks and troughs of energy usage throughout the country. Typically between the hours of 9-5, business energy usage is at its peak. This is when a large majority of businesses, particularly office-based businesses, are working and powering their equipment and technology via the grid. However, between the hours of 4pm-7pm is where the UK sees a huge spike in energy usage, as during this time, an accumulation of households and businesses are using high energy appliances, such as kettles and ovens.  Although it can be difficult to change when you use the most energy, it is certainly useful to be aware of the peak and off-peak times and how these can affect your business’ energy bills.    How do peak times affect business energy bills? During these peak times, the cost of energy often increases due to the greater strain on the energy grid. This is known as ‘time-of-use’ pricing. For businesses, operating during these peak times can significantly inflate energy bills, especially for those who run energy-intensive operations. Conversely, off-peak times denote periods when energy demand is lower, typically during late evenings, nights, or early mornings.  Energy providers often offer lower prices during these periods to encourage usage and maintain balance in the grid. Therefore, businesses that can shift some of their operations to off-peak times may be able to leverage these lower rates and substantially reduce their energy costs.   When is off-peak for energy usage? The hours between 11pm-8am are typically the hours when the least amount of energy is consumed in the UK. This is to be expected, since most people are sleeping during this time. This is also the cheapest time to use electricity, since the grid is at its lowest demand. Being able to shift usage to times where fewer people and businesses are consuming energy is a great way to reduce your business energy bills.  Of course, there will be certain times and appliances that you require during busy periods, but understanding some of the useful ways you could shift your business energy usage from peak times, may save you from rising energy costs.    Shifting your business energy usage from peak times Some of these tips are useful for businesses looking to shift their energy usage away from peak energy times:   Use energy-efficient equipment: Investing in energy-efficient equipment such as LED lights, smart thermostats, and Energy Star-rated appliances can significantly reduce your business’s overall energy consumption. Implement scheduling systems: If possible, set up schedules for certain tasks or operations that require heavy energy usage during off-peak times. This could involve running machinery or conducting work during the weekends or into the night, if possible. If you run a busy office between the hours of 9-5 and struggle to find a solution for shifting your energy usage, one thing you can do is to control the temperature of your office in the early mornings. Set a timer on your air conditioning system to either heat or cool the office before employees start their work day. Consider renewable energy options: Installing solar panels or wind turbines can provide a sustainable and cost-effective source of energy for your business, especially during peak times when traditional energy sources are more expensive. Monitor and track energy usage: Keep a close eye on your business’s energy consumption patterns to identify areas where you can make adjustments to reduce usage during peak hours. This can easily be done with the installation of a business smart meter. Which we are supporting businesses with, you find out more about the smart meter roll out here.  Implement sensors to your lighting so that lights will only turn on when required. This could save your business hundreds of pounds in wasted energy usage.   By implementing these strategies, your business can potentially save thousands of dollars each year on energy bills. If you would like to find out more about how you can save your business money and reduce your business energy usage, check out more of our blogs for business energy customers. Alternatively, if you are a D-ENERGi business energy customer and would like to speak with a member of our team to discuss your current usage, bills, or to get a new energy quote, contact us here.

Creating a budget and knowing how you will implement it into your everyday business practices is an important and effective way to keep your business energy costs low. Having a clear idea of how much you want to and can afford to spend on electricity and gas over a specific period of time (daily, weekly, monthly) will help you  to ensure you are not overspending and provide you the perfect opportunity to implement energy saving solutions into your business.   Review previous energy bills and business finances  To start the process of creating your business “energy budget” you should be careful reviewing your company finances from years prior. Taking a close look at your average spending and your annual revenue will help you to seriously consider how much you should be spending on energy and identify periods where you may have been overspending.    Identify your energy usage trends Once you have a good understanding of your past energy spending, you need to identify your energy usage trends. This means looking at your energy bills over time to see how your usage has changed. Are you using more energy during certain times of the year? Are there certain days of the week when you use more energy? Once you understand your trends, you can start to develop strategies to reduce your energy consumption.   Set realistic energy goals Once you know your energy usage trends, you can start to set realistic energy goals. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, also known as SMART targets. For example, you might set a goal of reducing your energy consumption by 10% in the next year. At this point you can decide on a realistic figure for how much your company can spend on energy over the course of a time frame. Although it is not possible to predict the energy markets, this figure can be the maximum amount you plan to spend per year.   Look at ways to reduce your energy consumption  In order to keep within your budget, you should consider ways to reduce your energy consumption. There are a number of great and easy solutions for this that will help you. More tips and tricks for businesses can be found on our blog.  Plus, taking the time to review your budget regularly and pay close attention to your consumption will allow you greater control over your spending. A business smart meter is one of the best methods for monitoring energy usage. Find out more about the smart meter roll out here.