Newsletter
February 2020 Newsletter
Why small businesses need to take control of their energy management
Did you know energy costs can be one of the most challenging aspects a small business has to deal with? We are facing some of the highest energy costs in the world and the inflation of these energy prices is impacting small businesses.
To help small businesses deal with this challenge, the Federal Government announced an $11 million package providing one-on-one energy consultations and online bill comparison tools to help small businesses make better business decisions.
With technology advancements, there are more than a few ways available to small businesses to help them manage as well as improve their energy consumption. With data and visibility over their energy consumption, there’s also obvious benefits to the economy and the environment in lower energy use.
Depending on the nature of the small business, the needs, scales and uses of energy varies. For instance, a café that opens for 8 hours will have a different rate of consumption as a 24-hour take-away restaurant.
Smart energy management systems are now in place given their cost effectiveness and scalability to suit different sizes of business. Systems as such are easy to install and can be supervised from a smart device. There are features such as wireless tracking of energy use across store appliances, to sensors in the fridge that automate refrigeration checks and sends alerts when the appliances are not operating correctly.
Other than the increased energy prices, businesses are moving towards smarter way of managing their energy to ensure that they deliver great customer experience. Having control of the air conditioning within a store aims to ensure that shoppers are comfortable and happy, and more likely to stay and spend more many.
Nielsen’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report stated that over 60% of people would spend more on a product if it came from a brand that cares about sustainability. With more consumers putting stronger emphasis on this aspect, it is important for small businesses to consider their environmental footprint.
Overall, adopting smart energy management systems can lead to considerable savings, positive brand credibility and better customer experiences for small businesses.