The team here at Solarcrown Commercial are dedicated in helping businesses reduce energy costs. All businesses have different energy demands with factors such as location size; number of employees; and with different heating, lighting and energy efficiency systems in place.
Common advice for businesses to reduce energy costs is to switch your energy supplier.
Although this is true and may save you some money, it is important to realise that the cost of energy is rising at an exponential rate and will continue to do so in the next few years. So you may save initially now, but your new supplier’s rates may increase at greater levels than other suppliers.
Therefore our advice to help you reduce your energy costs is to focus on the use of renewable and low carbon technologies and practices.
This will not only improve the overall health and operations of your business, but is a more practical and sustainable practice for your business in the long-term.
How to lower your business electricity bill
Cutting the amount electricity you use is the most obvious and cost-effective way to lower your electricity bill. We believe there are two methods or technologies to consider to help you to do this:
- Solar Photovoltaics
- Intelligent LED lighting
Solar Photovoltaics
Put simply, solar photovoltaics are electricity panels attached to the roofs of commercial businesses or domestic homes to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.
The solar panels enable you to generate your own renewable source of electricity to be used in your business or your home. Plus any excess electricity can be exported back to the grid for further cost benefits to you.
Common questions or concerns our team hears from businesses include:
- Can solar PV really lower my energy bill?
- Is there enough space on my roof?
- Can nearby buildings or trees shade my roof and impact the effectiveness of the solar panels?
- Do I need planning permission?
Installing solar PV systems can lower energy bills by reducing the amount of electricity purchased from the grid. The amount of energy saved will be determined by factors such as the size of the solar PV system as well as the building’s location and orientation. An energy audit or assessment can help you determine how much energy you can save.
Obviously the answers can vary drastically depending on your business’s or home’s situation. We always say space is a key consideration and an average Solar PV System needs between 15-20m2 roof area. South facing is optimum, east and west facing roofs can still be considered, but north facing roofs are not recommended.
Shade caused by nearby buildings and trees can be problematic, but there are ways to design Solar PV Systems to minimise the impact of shading.
And Solar PV panels are considered ‘permitted developments’ and often don’t require planning permission. There are always exceptions so it is important to check with your local planning office or work with a trusted Solar PV company.
See how our Building Integrated Photovoltaics helped reduce initial buildings cost and provided long-term energy savings for David Wilson Homes development
The Building Integrated Photovoltaics reduced the initial cost and the amount of spend on building materials and labour, that would be used to construct the parts of the building that the BIPV module replaces compared to non-integrated systems.
Our team designed and developed the BIPV system for 106 homes in the David Wilson Homes development in Runcorn, Cheshire. Every dwelling on the estate will feature BIPV modules that satisfies UK Building Regulations and local planning requirements.
Stephen Scully, Director of Solarcrown Commercial, comments, ““Offering a full turnkey package to our clients from the early stages of design through to handover gives our clients a one stop shop with one contact for all aspects of the scheme. It also helps to reduce costs as we are a National Installer and can service sites all over the UK. This limits the use for sub-contractors and extra margins being added to the costs.
“Another appealing attribute is that the panels are manufactured within the UK so lead times are shorter than that of overseas production facilities. Solarcrown Commercial supports British Manufacturing and is keen to support and integrate this into our Business Model wherever possible.”
Intelligent LED Lighting
Intelligent LED lighting represents the latest developments in the lighting industry. Clear benefits of LED lighting include better energy efficiency, improved environmental performance, no heat or UV emissions, a longer lifespan and helping to lower energy bills.
But how do you incorporate LED lighting into your business or home to take advantage and enjoy the benefits they bring?
By choosing to partner with Solarcrown Commercial to help your business or home, we will take away the headache of what LED lighting products to use, where to use them, and other factors to consider.
Our technicians and designers are here to help you, and work closely with you to make sure you get the best LED lighting system for your business or home.
We design, install, maintain and monitor your project. Therefore we look after every aspect meaning you get clarity and the best advice along the way.
See how our LED lighting systems provided energy and cost savings for Ramsbottom Pool and Fitness Centre Architectural Services within Bury Council appointed Solarcrown Commerical to upgrade core lighting at Ramsbottom Pool And Fitness Centre to new energy efficient LED Lighting.
We designed an installed new LED lighting systems within internal and external areas of the facilities, which not only enhances the experience for visiting customers who now enjoy better lighting conditions, but also provides energy and cost savings for Bury Council.
FAQs
Are there any government incentives or programs available to help us lower our energy costs?
Yes, there are various government incentives and programs available to help businesses lower their energy costs. These can include tax credits, grants, and rebates for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The specifics of these programs can vary by region, so it’s best to check with your local government or utility provider to see what options are available to you.
Can we generate our own renewable energy to offset our energy costs?
Yes, businesses can generate their own renewable energy to offset their business energy costs. This can be done through solar panels and other renewable energy systems. The cost and feasibility of these systems will depend on the specific location and energy needs of the business.
Can we retrofit our existing equipment or facilities to be more energy efficient?
Retrofitting existing equipment and facilities can include upgrading lighting systems, HVAC systems, and installing energy-efficient appliances.
Can you recommend an energy audit or assessment to identify areas where we can improve our energy efficiency?
Yes, we offer an energy audit or assessment. It can be a useful tool to identify areas where a business can improve their energy efficiency. An audit typically involves one of our professional’s inspecting and analysing a building’s energy systems and usage patterns to identify areas of inefficiency, and then making recommendations for improvement. This can be a good way for a business to get a comprehensive understanding of their energy usage and find ways to reduce their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint in line with the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy.
Are there any smart technology solutions available to help us manage and reduce our energy usage?
Smart technology solutions for managing and reducing energy usage can include smart thermostats, occupancy sensors, and demand response systems.
How to lower your business energy costs
If you are looking to lower your business energy costs, talk to our team today either by telephone 0333 323 2745 or email. We will get back to you as soon as we can.