If you’re a business owner, you’ll be fully aware of how difficult it is to keep operational costs down, especially in such hard-pressed times. Not only will you have expenses for maintaining a physical space and a workforce, but you’ll also need money for marketing initiatives, IT systems, and miscellaneous needs. And that’s not mentioning the cost of energy, such as electricity and heating, that keeps your business up and running.
While you can do very little about high energy expenses, you can certainly explore tried-and-tested ways to lower your operating costs. Take energy-efficient electrical systems, for example. These are a reliable and sustainable way to lower your carbon footprint, but did you know they’re also a proven approach to cut operating costs?
In this blog, we’re exploring how installing energy-efficient electrical systems for buildings can lower your business’ operational overheads.
Energy-efficient electrical systems are specially designed to lower energy consumption while delivering a more reliable performance compared to conventional setups.
Common examples of these systems include LED lighting systems, smart control, energy-efficient HVAC units, variable speed drives, and automation platforms.
Unlike traditional systems, which often waste energy through outdated designs or inefficiencies, modern electrical systems can be regulated to provide economic and environmental benefits.
A commercial energy audit is the first step towards identifying areas for reducing energy costs in your operations.
The team at Oaktree Electrical conducts this audit to assess common inefficiencies, such as excessive power usage or outdated technologies in your business’ lighting, HVAC, and equipment loads. This audit benchmarks your usage against the industry standard to set realistic targets and make the necessary cost-effective energy upgrades to benefit your operations.
Audit findings may reveal common energy-wasting areas, including:
Outdated devices and equipment consume more energy than newer, energy-saving equipment and devices.
HVAC systems are often the largest power consumers of a business, especially when they are old and/ or regularly used. On some occasions, we may recommend installing a new HVAC installation.
Poor insulation and air tightness on your premises can cause heat to escape through walls, windows, and roofs. These gaps in insulation cause temperature variations, so your HVAC system has to work harder, which leads to higher heating bills.
Outdated or inefficient lighting fixtures consume more energy and are more expensive to operate compared to modern, energy-efficient alternatives. You’ll want to replace outdated light fixtures with energy-efficient lighting for commercial buildings, and turn off artificial lighting when it’s not needed.
Leaving electrical equipment turned on or on standby (phantom energy) when they’re not being used is one of the most common causes of commercial energy waste. Encourage your employees to switch off devices when they’re not in use or at the end of the work day.
The link between energy efficiency in electrical systems and lowering operational costs of a business is well documented. Energy-saving systems reduce electricity use and directly lower monthly utility bills, often by 20–30%, depending on the building’s existing condition.
As well as avoiding wasting energy unnecessarily, your business can introduce the following energy-conscious electrical improvements to reduce operating costs:
Intelligent energy-efficient lighting systems for commercial buildings automatically adjust the brightness based on daylight and occupancy, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Building Management Systems (BMS) allow you to track and spot any anomalies in real-time. This early detection helps you minimise energy consumption and prevents minor issues from turning into major problems.
Avoid high reactive maintenance costs by incorporating energy-efficient HVAC units that last longer and allow for consistent operations.
Variable speed drives control the speed of the motor, fan, or pump in your electrical equipment. They’re fixed between the electrical supply and the motor of your electrical equipment, allowing them to regulate the power that’s fed to the motor. Variable speed drives can save as much as 50% of the energy used.
Automation systems are built to adjust the operation of your machinery according to real-time demand, again helping you avoid unnecessary energy use.
You may also want to generate your own clean energy, reducing not only your carbon footprint but also your dependency on grid power, protecting you from rising energy costs. Connect your solar PV with battery storage to tap into the excess energy when needed, like during peak hours. This valuable investment not only reduces your business’ operating costs but also supports your organisation’s ESG and environmental goals.
By cutting down on inefficiencies and incorporating better alternatives, we can help you lower your total cost of running your operations without affecting performance.
At Oaktree Electrical, we not only help businesses keep their operations running smoothly and without interruptions, but also make expert recommendations to support energy efficiency and keep expenses under control.
One of our specialisations is helping businesses upgrade to energy-efficient electrical systems by offering comprehensive solutions, from energy audits and lighting retrofits to BMS installations and solar power integration. Our team of professional electricians are here to help with routine maintenance and keeping compliant with the changing UK electrical regulations.
Contact us today for a professional energy assessment and take the first step towards energy-conscious and efficient business operations.
