TV star Yvette Fielding, known for investigating spooky goings-on, has taken on a new challenge: tracking down the phantom energy usage haunting Britain’s small businesses. Hidden energy costs, from computers left on standby to older, less efficient equipment, can quickly add up. Fielding, a serial entrepreneur, has teamed up with Smart Energy GB to help small business owners identify the energy ghouls lurking in their workplaces.
Energy bills keeping owners awake at night
A new poll found that four in five (80 per cent) small business owners are ‘haunted’ by invisible energy use driving up their bills, such as electricity consumed outside working hours. Many have inadvertently pushed up their bills by leaving desktop computers and screens (43 per cent) and laptop chargers (37 per cent) plugged in when not in use, while 43 per cent have left printers, photocopiers and computers on overnight.
Fielding is encouraging businesses to uncover their energy ghosts by getting a smart meter installed, giving them greater visibility of where energy is being used and helping to identify hidden sources of waste.
‘From running my own business, I understand how important it is to closely monitor each and every running cost,’ she says. ‘Ahead of winter, I’d encourage all small business owners to spend a bit of time investigating their outgoings and thinking about what they could do to save some cash. One thing is making sure you’re not spending money on energy your business doesn’t need to be using. Getting a smart meter installed can help owners identify what’s silently draining energy and costing their business money.’
Fielding’s five energy-saving tips for businesses
Running a business places multiple demands on your time, but saving energy doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Here are some key changes that Fielding suggests.
Do a lock-up sweep – Vampire devices are appliances or gadgets that quietly use energy when left plugged in but not being used. Before locking up for the night, do a sweep of the building and unplug anything that doesn’t need to stay on.
Consider a smart meter for your business – A smart meter can help you see how much energy your business is using, and when, making it easier to spot where you could cut back. Take a look at your energy use regularly and see if you can spot any unusual spikes or areas where you might be using more energy than you need to.
Switch to energy-efficient equipment – Old kit groaning away in the corner can be scarier than any ghost. Take time to identify older or less energy-efficient equipment. When it’s time to replace something, consider a more energy-efficient model, particularly for appliances you use regularly, such as fridges, microwaves and coffee machines.
Make your lighting work smarter – Winter means the lights come on earlier, so it’s worth making sure you’re not wasting energy lighting empty spaces. If you’re still using halogen bulbs, consider swapping them for LEDs, which use less energy and last longer. You can also install sensor lighting in spaces such as storerooms, toilets and back offices, so lights switch on when someone enters and off again when the room is empty.
Seasonal checks – Nine in ten (92 per cent) business owners say keeping energy costs down will be a key priority for their business this winter. With colder nights creeping in, keeping heat inside your premises is a good place to start. Gaps around doors and windows can let cold air in, while draught excluders are a simple and relatively inexpensive fix.
How a smart meter has helped
An impressive 91 per cent of small business owners polled who have a smart meter at their business premises say it has helped them to find ways to save money on their energy bill.
Paul Watts, owner of Bookshop on the Heath, in Blackheath, London, says: ‘The worst thing that can happen as a business owner is when outgoings are higher than expected. Having a smart meter has given me a much better understanding of where our energy is being used, making it easier to manage our costs and make changes to save where we can. I put off getting a smart meter for a while, but it was so quick and easy to get one installed, so I wish I’d done it sooner!’
Eligibility for smart meters may vary, and consumer action is required.
