Published on 31 - July - 2012

News

Businesses need to plan ahead to cut energy use

Research by OnePoll has revealed that many businesses are concerned that they are spending too much on energy bills, however, only a minority employ staff to monitor and track electricity use.

The survey of more than 500 businesses nationwide found that 51% of business owners are worried about rising costs but fewer than 20% have the management in place to monitor energy costs. Instead firms are relying on office managers, reception staff or even security personnel to keep an eye on costs. However, to be able to save the maximum amount of energy, experts advise companies to engage a financial team to monitor electricity use.

As energy prices continue rise, it is crucial that businesses implement measures to cut their energy bills.

Des Franklin, European sales manager at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, says that business needs to see the big picture, and plan ahead more. "There are ways that businesses can save energy and cut their costs massively, not least in line with legal requirements to reduce carbon emissions. Often we see equipment such as air conditioning being installed to cool a section of the building, and in the next few months a new boiler will be put in to help heat another area.

"There are ways we can harness the redundant energy from one part of a building to do something different in another, and with some forward thinking and rounded advice, businesses could really help themselves, and avoid costly piecemeal upgrades and wastage," he added.