The UK hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit by rising energy costs in recent years, with average bills increasing by £213 each month. In the retail sector this has led to many businesses having to close their doors for good.
In the public sector budgets have not kept anything like pace with these cost rises, and the impact has been seen in menus where chefs are substituting cheaper ingredients, choices are reduced and quality compromised. It has also been felt keenly in the kitchen where power-hungry equipment is used sparingly and ideas such as batch cooking are being introduced.
But these attempts to mitigate the impact of higher energy bills are not always part of properly considered strategy to curb usage, so we have compiled a list of six key actions to help:
Invest in new appliances
If appliances in your offices such as desktop monitors and printers have been working effectively for several years, the thought of replacing them may not be of consideration. However, old appliances can increase energy usage significantly, so it’s important to invest in more energy-efficient models if your business can do so. It’s also important to switch off appliances when they’re not in use and educate employees on the benefits this has both financially and environmentally.
Install an energy monitor
An energy monitor is a device which is attached to your electricity meter and in turn, tracks how much electricity your catering operation is using. Although many people believe energy monitors are the same as smart meters, they are, in fact, different. As well as tracking electricity usage, energy monitors also show the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by your business and detect any irregular energy consumption patterns which will help to reduce your businesses bills.
Switch energy provider
Looking for a new energy deal can often be less of a priority compared to other tasks, but your business could be worse off financially if you’re letting your current deal continuously renew. When your current deal is coming to an end, browse new deals on business electricity comparison websites. Not only will this enable you to find a cheaper deal, but it also reduces the amount of time it would take you to contact suppliers directly.
Improve HVAC efficiency
During the colder months, it’s important to make sure your business isn’t wasting energy, so it’s worth investing in a smart thermostat so you can regulate indoor temperatures. As well as this, make sure to have your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) system cleaned regularly as this will help to improve efficiency and fix any windows and doors where heat may be escaping as this can help to reduce wasted energy and costs.
Invest in LED lighting
Whether it’s during the summer or winter, lights are constantly in use during working hours. For most older, incandescent bulbs are most likely in use, however, they use a considerable amount more energy than their LED counterparts. Switching to LED light bulbs in your kitchens and workspaces means that you’ll be using 75% less energy compared to incandescent, which will reflect positively on your energy bills.
Consider renewable energy sources
UK businesses are being urged to reduce their carbon footprints and become more green by installing solar panels and exploring other renewable energy options. Currently, there is no price cap in place for businesses to help support rising costs, however, there are several grants and government incentives that help businesses become more environmentally friendly, so it’s worth looking into the available options.
Chris Shaw, chief executive at Utility Bidder, comments on how UK catering and hospitality providers can reduce their energy bills: “Unlike consumers, UK businesses don’t have the safety net of an energy price cap which has sadly, meant that many small businesses have had to close their doors.
“Although rising energy costs may be out of the hands of business owners, some steps can be taken to reduce energy usage, which will have a knock-on effect when it comes to receiving your energy bill.
“As well as making simple changes such as switching from incandescent bulbs to LED, which use 75% less energy, it’s also important to pay attention to your current energy deal and work out if you could be paying less with a different provider.
“Using a business energy comparison website will allow you to browse a range of deals more efficiently, as many business owners are deterred from looking for a new deal due to the length of time it can take to contact providers individually.”