Reducing business energy consumption does not have to begin with solar panels, expensive equipment or a complete building refit.

For many businesses, the best place to start is much simpler: understand when energy is being used, find the obvious waste and make sure existing equipment is operating properly.

Here are some practical steps that can make a real difference.

1. Start with your energy data

You cannot manage what you cannot see.

Review at least 12 months of electricity and gas consumption so you can identify seasonal patterns, unusual increases and differences between sites.

Focus on the amount of energy used in kilowatt hours, not only the total bill. Energy prices can change, so a higher bill does not always mean your business has consumed more.

PE customers can use Enfiniti to view consumption data, bills and usage insights in one place.

Look for:

• Energy being used before opening or after closing
• Sudden spikes in consumption
• Sites using considerably more than similar locations
• Changes following new equipment or longer opening hours
• Bills based on estimated readings

2. Check what stays on overnight

One of the easiest ways to reduce business energy consumption is to look at what happens when nobody is there.

Walk around the premises after closing and check:

• Lights
• Computers and screens
• Kitchen appliances
• Heating and cooling
• Machinery
• Display equipment
• Extraction systems
• Chargers and portable devices

Some equipment, such as refrigeration, servers, security systems and safety equipment, will need to remain active. Everything else should have a clear reason for being left on.

Timers and automatic controls can help when relying on a closing checklist is not enough.

The Government’s Energy Efficiency for Businesses campaign provides further advice covering simple changes and longer term improvements.

3. Review your heating and cooling

Heating an empty room or cooling a space while the heating is still running wastes energy quickly.

Check that:

1. Operating times match your actual opening hours.
2. Empty areas are not heated unnecessarily.
3. Thermostats are positioned away from draughts and heat sources.
4. Windows and external doors are closed while systems are running.
5. Portable heaters are not competing with air conditioning.
6. Radiators and vents are not blocked.

Different parts of a building may need different settings. Zoning allows occupied areas to remain comfortable without treating every room in the same way.

Any changes should remain suitable for employees, customers, stock and equipment.

4. Improve lighting controls

Lighting is often one of the easiest areas to address.

Businesses can reduce consumption by:

• Replacing older lamps with LED lighting
• Switching off lights in unused areas
• Installing movement sensors in toilets, corridors and store rooms
• Using daylight sensors near windows
• Dividing large spaces into smaller lighting zones
• Making better use of natural light

Prioritise the lights that operate for the longest hours. This is usually where improvements will have the greatest effect.

The Carbon Trust business energy guide also covers common opportunities involving lighting, heating and workplace equipment.

5. Use equipment more efficiently

Office equipment, machinery and appliances can continue consuming energy even when they are not doing useful work.

Simple changes include:

• Activating sleep settings on computers and monitors
• Shutting down equipment overnight
• Avoiding unnecessary machinery idling
• Switching off unused meeting room screens
• Checking refrigeration door seals
• Repairing compressed air leaks
• Matching pumps and motors to the level of demand

Always check manufacturer, IT and safety guidance before switching off essential systems.

6. Keep equipment maintained

Poorly maintained equipment usually has to work harder.

Regular maintenance can help heating, cooling, refrigeration, motors and machinery operate as intended.

Check filters, vents, seals, controls, insulation and moving parts. Small problems such as a damaged refrigerator seal or blocked air filter can increase consumption and eventually cause a larger fault.

7. Give people clear actions

Asking staff to “save energy” is too vague.

Give people specific responsibilities, such as:

1. Switch off meeting room lights.
2. Report rooms that are too hot or cold.
3. Shut down screens at the end of the day.
4. Keep external doors closed when heating is running.
5. Report leaking taps, damaged seals or faulty controls.
6. Follow the correct shutdown process for machinery.

The easier the action is to understand, the more likely it is to become part of the normal routine.

8. Measure what actually works

Record each improvement and compare consumption before and after it was introduced.

Allow for changes in weather, staffing, opening hours and production levels. A growing business may use more energy overall while still becoming more efficient per customer or unit produced.

Once the simple actions are working, you can build a clearer case for larger investments such as insulation, efficient machinery, solar generation or improved controls.

PE’s Climate Pozitive solutions can help businesses monitor energy use and plan practical efficiency improvements.

Reduce consumption and review your contract

A competitive energy tariff is important, but it does not solve unnecessary consumption.

The strongest approach combines an appropriate contract with better visibility and sensible operational changes.

PE provides business electricity, gas, smart metering and energy management support for businesses of different sizes and sectors.

Talk to PE about your business energy.

Frequently asked questions

What uses the most energy in a business?

It depends on the sector. Heating, cooling, lighting and office equipment are common sources. Restaurants may use more through cooking and refrigeration, while industrial businesses may rely heavily on motors and machinery.

Can a smart meter reduce energy consumption?

A smart meter does not reduce consumption on its own. It gives you better information, which can help you find waste and measure improvements.

How often should energy consumption be reviewed?

Businesses should review it at least monthly. More frequent reviews may be useful where daily or half hourly information is available.

Should everything be switched off overnight?

No. Refrigeration, servers, security systems and safety equipment may need to remain active. Only non essential equipment should be switched off.