Lee Morgan, EMS Managing Director, Pilot Group
For many businesses, rising to the challenge of energy bills remains an arduous task which shows little sign of abating. While the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses offers some respite, up and down the country companies are still struggling to cope with expensive tariffs which are hampering their profit margins.
While wholesale energy prices have started to fall from their summer 2022 peaks there is a substantial lag before these are felt by consumers, and a volatile market has produced uncertainty as to how far they will come down. It is therefore vital that businesses proactively tackle the pressure of energy tariffs and look towards implementing measures which will safeguard them throughout 2023 and beyond.
A key ambition of sustainable technology expert, Pilot Group, is to empower the UK’s businesses to do just this, and Pilot Group has been assisting companies across the country to make significant savings through the provision of its Energy Management System. Allowing companies to take an analytical approach to their energy data, Pilot Group enables them to track their energy usage across all areas of the business, and crucially, assess where savings can be made with actionable solutions.
The prospect of measures to save energy can seem a daunting task for some businesses who quite simply do not know where to start, but this doesn’t mean they should give up. And that is why Pilot Group has compiled a list of top tips for companies to action which will result in immediate results for a business which is trying to drive down its energy bills.
Take Control of Your Data
A starting point can be to take an analytical approach and assess in fine detail a company’s energy outputs so it can identify where realistic savings can be made. This allows the company to assess where operational changes are needed and allow them to make clear-cut decisions which will benefit its outputs moving forward. Additionally, a streamlined energy management process can reduce an organisation’s carbon emissions and improve facility performance, while also making them more robust against fluctuations in the energy market.
Systems such as Pilot Group’s EMS allows companies to take control of their data. Saving companies an average of 40 percent on their energy bills each year, the EMS is designed to monitor and control systems with smart sensors and self-learning algorithm which allows heating systems to work more efficiently. Crucially it gives business owners a thorough overview of their energy data.
Check the Use, Efficiency & Capacity of your Heaters
Before we even touch on the intelligent heating aspect, it’s important to think about a couple of things. Are the heaters you have in the space appropriately sized to heat that space and what efficiency rating do they have? As part of its EMS service, Pilot Group carries out an energy audit of the business to determine the effectiveness of the company’s energy usage and this can determine whether the heaters being used are fit for their purpose. Additionally, taking this analytical approach when looking to upgrade a company’s heating system means it can select the most energy efficient system moving forward.
Meanwhile, with intelligent systems such as Pilot Group’s EMS, the use of its self-learning algorithm allows it to control heating systems so that they are functioning as and where needed. This can be especially useful for timing outputs around when employees and customers are in the business premises, resulting in a reduction of energy when the building is not in use.
Remove Human Error
Human error is part of every operation and can be significant in its contribution to energy costs. It might be a heater left on overnight, a shutter door left open, or conflicting heating and cooling systems all playing their part.
Naturally, workers will think of completing their immediate tasks before heading home for the evening and things, such as shutting the rolling door, can go under the radar. But systems such as Pilot Group’s EMS can remove that human error by being the driver of energy saving measures, rather than the onus being placed on the workforce.
Replace Lights with More Efficient LED Lighting
The longer lights are switched on, the more energy will be used. Many areas within a business are often lit unnecessarily, such as meeting rooms when not in use, storage areas, and corridors. Firstly, ensure all LED lights are energy efficient. By simply installing them over old fluorescent lamps can result in big savings for businesses.
Meanwhile, in areas where continuous lighting isn’t always needed, such as a store cupboard, try switching to motion sensor lights so they are used as and when needed. Natural light is often overlooked too and relocating objects that block windows can mitigate the need for artificial lighting.
Review your Energy Tariff
Finally, make sure you’re on the best energy tariff for your business. Proactively working with your energy provider to understand what tariffs they provide and then comparing that with other providers before agreeing a contract can result in big savings.
Additionally, comparison websites can be a valuable tool for those looking for the rates from different energy suppliers, While Ofgem provides further expert advice for businesses looking to switch their energy tariff, or for those having difficulties switching.
Conclusion
While the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides welcome support, there is little doubt that the cost of energy bills will continue to be a challenge for business owners, but that doesn’t mean they should sit back and accept them.
Through guidance and the sharing of knowledge, Pilot Group aims to help organisations to take hold of their energy usage by the scruff of the neck, and in doing so, help them rest assured knowing they will not fall short when it comes to rising to the energy bill challenge.
For any organisation which is looking to plan ahead and take action which will lower its energy bills across the board, Pilot Group’s expertise can help highlight a clear path towards meeting the challenge of rising energy costs head on.
For more information visit https://www.thepilotgroup.co.uk/.
Lee Morgan is Managing Director of Pilot Group Ltd’s Energy Management Division, who support organisations meet carbon reduction targets using technologies and lead the way in smart, safe, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.