Cost-cutting advice
Different businesses, different ways to cut energy costs
Choose your business sector for detailed advice on managing your energy consumption and reducing your bill.
Top line tools and information
Track your usage
If you’re committed to managing your energy consumption, start with an energy audit. After all, you’ll never know how much you’re saving if you don’t know how much you’re using in the first place. We can arrange an energy audit at your business premises.
And ask us if you’re eligible for a free npower energy monitor - it’ll help you track the energy you’re using in real time.
Appoint an energy champion (YouTube)
Managing energy is everybody’s responsibility but putting someone in charge can help get the job done faster.
Get staff on board (YouTube)
Teamwork can drive savings. Here’s how to encourage your employees to do their part.
Switch them off
Turning off the light when there’s nobody there is one of the easiest ways to cut energy costs. But if reminding your employees to switch off hasn’t worked, consider installing motion-detector automatic controls. They can be cheap and effective.
An energy monitor can also help your staff see, in real time, what happens to your electricity usage when lights are on and off.
And changing from halogen spotlights to LEDs could save you up to 80% a year. As they generally last longer, you’ll reduce maintenance costs too.
Source: Carbon Trust: Retail Energy Management, February 2006
Motion-activated lights (YouTube)
Motion-activated lights or Motion detector-controlled lights can make a big difference to your energy bill. And they mean you don’t have to rely on your employees remembering to switch them off when they’re not in use.
Energy-efficient light bulbs (YouTube)
Yes, they’re slightly pricier up front. But the savings can make it all worthwhile.
Make use of daylight (YouTube)
You’ve got the biggest, brightest source of light right outside your window. Make good use of it.
Turn down the heat
It may be easier to keep your heating or air-conditioning running full time, but it’s never going to be cost effective. Try to agree on times for switching on and switching off. You may find you need it on less than you think.
Then, make sure your thermostats are set correctly. Changing the set point for heating and cooling by a barely noticeable degree or two can make a real difference to your energy bill. In fact, taking your thermostat down by just one degree can cut your fuel consumption by about 8%.
Finally, make sure you’re not losing valuable warm or cool air through poorly-insulated walls, doors and windows.
Source: Carbon Trust: Retail Energy Management, February 2006
Use heating timers (YouTube)
The heating’s so easy to switch on. Funny how we find it so much harder to switch off.
Don’t use heating and air conditioning together (YouTube)
Sounds obvious but this is one of the most frequently-made energy mistakes.
Keep air con units clean (YouTube)
An air conditioning unit with clogged or dirty filters uses more power. Here’s how to make sure yours is running in tip top condition.
Power down
If there’s any electronic equipment that’s not being used, simply switch it off. Make life easier on yourself by installing timers so that any equipment that’s needed only during business hours is on only during business hours.
And don’t leave technology equipment on standby. It may not be “on” but it’s definitely not “off”.
Switch off equipment (YouTube)
Use the off switch or pay the price. See how much it costs to keep different pieces of equipment running.
Ways to save money with npower
Do an energy audit
See what you’re currently using—and where you could be saving. We can conduct an initial energy audit over the phone or for a more detailed audit we may be able to visit you in person.
on board
Install an energy monitor
Designed to help you monitor when your energy use is high and low, an energy monitor displays your real-time energy usage.
Get more accurate bills
With a Smart meter we’ll be able to read your meter remotely and send you accurate bills. We may need to estimate your bill if there's a problem collecting a reading.
Want to join npower?
If managing your energy and saving money sound like pretty good ideas, join us today.
Get a quote online