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Energy efficiency should be a subject of special concern for any business that wants to minimise costs, and reduce its impact on the natural environment. There are reputational and regulatory concerns to wrestle with, too – consumers and regulators tend to take a dim view of businesses which pollute unnecessarily.
Understanding the Changing Policy and Cost Landscape
The government is looking to make major changes when it comes to how energy use is regulated. From April 2026, the Network Charging Compensation Scheme will be tweaked in order to allow energy-intensive firms to discount more on their network charges. The discount is moving up from 60% to 90%. It is claimed that this will save the 500 largest businesses, in energy-intensive sectors like paper, steel, and ceramics, around £420 million per year.
Conducting an Energy Audit and Setting Efficiency Targets
If you are running a business, then it’s essential that you understand exactly what you’re spending on energy, and how your bill might be driven down with the right investment. You might introduce more efficient LED lighting systems, optimise your HVAC, or invest in insulation. In many cases, these investments can be made viable with the help of the right support from your local council – so be sure to establish whether such support is available.
Often, your choice of supplier will make a massive difference. Following an energy audit, you might consider looking for a better tariff from a specialist business energy supplier.
Investing in Low-Carbon Technologies and Infrastructure
LED lighting is just one green investment that will pay for itself within a few months – and often much sooner. In many cases, a major investment in the right equipment can bear fruit quickly and drive down the carbon footprint of your business substantially. Heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, and battery storage can all make a big difference to your operational costs. The green energy sector is currently enjoying a period of sustained growth, and investments that were nonviable just a few years ago might soon become irresistible.
Embedding Energy Efficiency into Daily Operations and Culture
Making your operations more energy efficient isn’t just a matter of installing the right hardware. It’s also about the behaviour of your employees, and the incentive structure within which they operate.
To create a culture that emphasises energy efficiency, you’ll need to be proactive. Set targets and monitor for them. Reward good performance, and use energy management systems to determine where the gains are to be found.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
