Blog Post

Top Tips to Help your customers save energy this Winter

Matt Olney • Dec 10, 2019

Keeping customers is one of the biggest challenges faced by energy suppliers of all sizes. They need to keep customer satisfaction high to prevent them switching to a competitor, which is why they also need to be more than just a supplier. They also need to be somewhere people can turn to for advice.

With climate change being a hot topic, suppliers also need to be able to demonstrate that they are taking the issue seriously as consumers become increasingly savvy over energy usage. As such we’ve put together some top tips that energy suppliers can give to their customers.

Reducing energy costs at home and in the office

Most businesses look for ways to save money and improve efficiency, and energy costs are often the biggest expenditures they face. Fortunately, there are a few ways they can both reduce their expenses and help the environment.

Changing Human behaviour

Shut the doors and windows – speaks for itself really but you should also make sure that they’re draft proof too. A lot of heat can be lost through cracks and gaps which leads to your heating system working harder and thus using more energy as a result.

Turn off your devices – Now this might seem obvious, but the number of people who never shut down their computers, monitors and televisions properly is very high. Some models of these devices use the same amount of energy in standby as they would when fully active.

Switch the lights off – When not in use, turn the lights off! If people need reminding put up stickers or posters. Alternatively, if your staff cannot be trusted to do that, get some motion sensors fitted. It’ll save you money in the long run.

Replace the light bulbs – Switching standard light bulbs to energy-saving ones can save as much as 70% in energy usage and they’re a lot cheaper to buy these days too. If you must use standard bulbs get Florescent ones as they use less energy.

Open the blinds – Okay so this one may seem a tad condescending, but you’d be surprised at just how many offices operate with the blinds down (even on sunny days). Let in the natural light and you’ll save on lighting costs and its proven that natural light is a lot better for you than artificial light.

Use technology better

Adjust the thermostat – often you enter a shop or office that is unbearably hot in the winter or too cold in the summer due to thermostats being set up incorrectly. The ideal temperature is 20 degrees but there’s always that one person who either cranks it up or turns the place into an imitation of Antarctica. You could always disable the in-office thermostats so that staff can’t keep messing with the temperatures. A programmable or smart thermostat can be set to automatically turn off or reduce heating and cooling during the times when you’re away.

Install timers – using timers will allow you to ensure that the heating comes on at the right times of the day and switches off at night.

Use laptop computers, not desktops – It might surprise you to learn that by equipping your office with laptops rather than desktops can save around 90% in energy. A laptop at most uses 60 watts of power whereas a desktop will use up to 320 watts including the monitor. A laptop run for 8 hours a day for a year can cost as little as £7 per year whereas a desktop used for the same amount of time can cost up to £140.

Install a Smart Meter - Despite the troubled rollout of smart meters they can help you save money. By having an accurate reading of your energy and your bills will always be accurate.No longer will customers be faced with estimated readings, and those who pay by direct debit will no longer run the risk of getting into credit or, worse still, debt.

What are the benefits?

As well as saving money on your energy bills you’re also likely to keep your employees healthier and happier. Effective energy conservation can also help increase the value of your property as well as help protect the environment.