Issue #92 - The Energy Efficiency Issue 💡
Winter energy saving tips | Energy-efficient lighting and saving money? | Can energy efficiency affect how people see your businesses? | AI and energy efficiency | Facts | Tunes | More
🦾 GO
Energy saving tips for winter 🥶
Welcome to Issue #92 of The Backbone - the fortnightly newsletter from Bionic.
An increase in the energy price cap and the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Allowance for millions of pensioners have brought energy prices back into the news cycle.
While we can’t do anything about either of those issues (although fixing your business energy rates can help to beat rising prices), we can offer some useful energy-saving tips that could help to cut your winter bills.
Here goes…
Don’t heat your premises if you don’t need to
Switch appliances off
Pay attention to the weather
Install a smart meter
Consider water costs
Turn off lights when not in use or fit light sensors
Encourage all staff to be energy-aware
Draught-proof your building
Go paperless as much as you can
Sort an energy audit
If you’re thinking of improving energy efficiency at your business, you’re not alone. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce has found that 79% of SMEs are taking steps to increase their energy efficiency. 69% are investing in LED lighting, 34% are going for greener vehicles, and 30% are sorting solar panels.
Check out our blog How to save business energy (and money) for more detailed tips. And keep reading for more on energy efficiency, including useful tips from small business owners who have successfully cut their energy use and bills. We’ve also got an energy-themed playlist and an climate-focussed podcast.
What more could you want in from The Energy Efficiency Issue? An energy-themed joke? Oh, go on then…
🤝 COMMUNITY
Join our community of small business superheroes 🦸♀️
Small business owners are the superheroes of the high street. But small business owners rarely get their voices heard. Now there’s a place where they can chat, share advice and help each other through the lows and highs of running a business. To get involved, scan or click the QR code above or click the button below to sign up.
💡 Can energy-efficient lighting save your business money?
Choosing the right, energy-efficient lighting can really make a difference to your energy bills and the environment. Let’s look at what energy-efficient lighting is, its benefits, and some of the best options you can choose.
💚 Can energy efficiency affect how people see your businesses?
A study by Smartest Energy shows that 4 out of 5 people describe themselves as likely to choose a brand with a positive approach to environmental sustainability. But, the same study revealed that 45% of consumers don’t know how businesses encourage environmental sustainability.
Are you an energy-efficient business? If so, are you making it clear to your customers? And does it even matter?
🤖 Could AI help your business be more energy efficient?
Did you know that around 30% of all energy from businesses across the UK is wasted? In a time when sustainability has never been more important, discussions around energy efficiency and its significance for businesses worldwide are on the rise.
Let’s explore how AI can help with energy management, alongside practical examples of how machine learning can be a game-changer for businesses working towards a more sustainable future.
🗣 SHOUTOUT
#BionicBusinessStory - 5 businesses, 1 question 🤔
Using less energy means your business can cut its utility bills, lower its carbon footprint, and contribute to a healthier planet. It can also be a smart way to boost reputation as customers can be drawn to eco-conscious businesses. We asked five business owners about their secrets to being more energy-efficient. Here’s what they said.
Bionic - How do you save energy at your business?
🍦 “I did lots of things, like replacing my light bulbs with energy-saving ones. I put timers on some of the electrical equipment that needs to be on at certain times, that has meant I'm saving two or three hours a day's worth of electricity.” Corrie Hill, Mrs Chill’s Ice Cream Parlour
🏋️♂️ “We made all our lighting LED. Lighting this place alone was quite significant so that in itself dropped our energy bills. In terms of heating, we basically have none. We had 17 radiators that we got rid of and there’s just one left in my sister’s office which she refuses to get rid of. It’s an initial outlay, but you save so much money in the long run. We had around 400 bulbs which were 20 watts each, the new ones are about 4 watts. So, it’s a huge energy saving.” Mick Povall, Gravity Health and Fitness
🍻 “In terms of energy use, we've installed some new kit via Heineken, as they supply our beer. This kit means we can turn the cooling settings in the cellar on and off as opposed to just leaving it on constantly. Those kinds of technology solutions are really handy.” James Gadsby Peet, The Star of Greenwich
💪 “Hybrid is a very energy efficient gym, so there's no cardio kit plugged in. Most pieces of equipment are battery operated and can be recharged, there's only about ten things which need to be plugged in on a daily basis and all the lighting I've got has been changed to super-efficient LEDs. I did a lot of research on energy costs, different providers and different contract lengths, which initially felt like a lot to get involved in. But actually, now, when the electricity bills coming through, it's something that is paying dividends back to me.” Chris Harrison, Hybrid Fitness
🍺 “I keep an eye on contract prices and then in day-to-day life, we just make sure to turn off everything at night. In the winter months, we can turn off the big chiller in the cellar, little shortcuts like that can make a big difference.” Kate Davidson, The Old Ivy House
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📊 BUSINESS
Get your business costs sorted 💷
Bionic - the business price comparison experts - compare a range of business essentials to help you save time, money, and hassle.
Our tech-enabled team will answer all your questions in simple terms, and help you find the best deal on business energy, insurance, phone, broadband, or finance. No jargon. No-fuss. #BeABionicBusiness 🦾
🎧 LISTEN
Playlist 🎶
A high-energy playlist seems appropriate for this week’s issue. And it doesn’t get much higher energy than techno beats to boost your workout. Crank it up and pump it up.
Podcast 🎙
The economy and climate change are two topics that rarely leave the news cycle. But there’s never much coverage of how climate change increasingly affects the economy. Macrodose (not the first time we’ve featured it) looks at the links between both in weekly bite-sized podcasts.
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🏡 HOUSEKEEPING
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🚫 STOP
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