A simple energy efficiency checklist for small
Many small businesses pay for energy they do not need. A shop that leaves its lights on all night, a workshop with an old motor that runs all day, an office with a leaking air conditioner: none of this feels dramatic, but it shows up on every bill. The good news is that the first savings are often free.
Start with your bills
Collect your electricity bills for the past twelve months and put the consumption figures in a simple table. Look for months where use climbs. If the jump matches summer, cooling is probably the main reason. If it matches a busy season at work, production is.
Walk through after closing
Go through the premises when everyone has left. Write down every machine, light and screen still running. Computers, chargers, display fridges, water heaters and signs are the usual suspects. Some of these have to stay on. Many do not.
Fix the lighting
Efficient LED lamps use far less electricity than old incandescent or fluorescent lighting and last longer. Add switches that are easy to reach, and consider sensors for storerooms and corridors.
Look at cooling and heating
Clean or replace air filters. Seal gaps around doors and windows. Keep the thermostat at a sensible level instead of forcing the system to work against the weather. Shading windows that get strong sun can lower cooling needs noticeably.
Maintain what you have
Dirty condensers, leaking ducts and worn motors waste energy without making noise. Ask who is responsible for maintenance and when equipment was last checked.
Then decide about investment
Once you know where your energy goes, you can compare options: better insulation, more efficient equipment, or solar panels. Ask for quotes from more than one supplier and ask them to show the payback period on your own consumption figures, not on an average.
A note on solar
Solar can be a good investment, but it works best after you have cut waste, because you then buy fewer panels for the same result. We are looking at financing models that could make solar accessible to small users, and we will publish what we find on our energy page.
If you try this checklist and want to tell us what you found, write to us. Your experience helps us understand what small businesses face.