76 effective strategies to reduce business energy costs

4 minutes05/11/2024

Written by Scott Carter

The ongoing energy crisis is leading to soaring energy costs and concerns over supply shortages, leaving many businesses scrambling for solutions. However, it’s possible to alleviate some of this pressure by adopting energy efficiency measures that are cost-effective, easy to implement, and reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

In this blog, we highlight energy-saving actions that businesses can quickly integrate into their daily operations. Some of these actions may already be in place within your organization, but it’s important to continually assess and optimize energy consumption to ensure maximum efficiency.

Once these quick fixes have been exhausted, you can explore investments in advanced technologies and systems that meet modern energy standards. Taking a strategic approach to energy management is crucial for long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Energy-saving tips for businesses

Quick measures (< 4 weeks)	Short-term measures (< 2 months)	Medium-term measures (several months)
HEATING AND COOLING
Lower room temperatures (e.g., 19°C)	Hydronically balance heating systems	Decommission unnecessary boiler systems
Lower room temperatures (e.g., 19°C)	Hydronically balance heating systems	Decommission unnecessary boiler systems
Turn down when not in use	Replace old/inefficient heating pumps with high-efficiency pumps	Shutdown local heating system in summer
Turn down when not in use		Shutdown local heating system in summer
Optimize the heating characteristic/heating curve	Define heating areas in large halls and rooms	Use ceiling fans for air circulation
Optimize the heating characteristic/heating curve	Define heating areas in large halls and rooms	Use ceiling fans for air circulation
Ventilate with windows fully open instead of tilted	Insulate window surfaces, pipes, and fittings	User programmable heating thermostats
Ventilate with windows fully open instead of tilted	Insulate window surfaces, pipes, and fittings	User programmable heating thermostats
Reduce supply temperature	Automatically regulate operating hours	Replace uncontrolled circulating pumps
Reduce supply temperature	Automatically regulate operating hours	Replace uncontrolled circulating pumps
Automatically lower temperature on weekends and at night	Automatically open and close high-speed doors	Insulate waste heat generating plants
Automatically lower temperature on weekends and at night	Automatically open and close high-speed doors	Insulate waste heat generating plants
Automatically lower shutters and slats at night		Re-insulate pipelines, window, door, and gate seals
Automatically lower shutters and slats at night		Re-insulate pipelines, window, door, and gate seals
Maintain and clean boiler systems
Maintain and clean boiler systems
Reduce hot water supply (e.g., temporarily switch off flow heaters; only provide cold water)

Regularly ventilate radiator
Regularly ventilate radiator
Use electronic thermostat valves
Use electronic thermostat valves
Clear radiators and remove covers
Clear radiators and remove covers
Clean external air conditioning units
Clean external air conditioning units
Reduce speed of room air conditioning
Reduce speed of room air conditioning
Adjust temperature in server and clean rooms
Adjust temperature in server and clean rooms
Reduce air exchange rate
Reduce air exchange rate
Insulate fittings and flanges
Insulate fittings and flanges
Insulate condensate tanks
Insulate condensate tanks
COMPRESSED AIR
Lower the pressure level	Maintenance for generation, e.g., filters, clamps, overrun sensors	Substitute pneumatic tools with technical/electromechanical alternatives
Lower the pressure level
Adjust the pressure band	Monitor leakage	Adjust compressor regulation and control
Adjust the pressure band	Monitor leakage	Adjust compressor regulation and control
Turn down compressors on weekends and at night	Optimize air intake for air compressors	Compressor heat recovery
Turn down compressors on weekends and at night	Optimize air intake for air compressors	Compressor heat recovery
Use fewer hand-held fans
Use fewer hand-held fans
Prevent hoses from tangling
Prevent hoses from tangling
Repair damaged hoses
Repair damaged hoses
Check for leaks (e.g., air duct accessories, tools, hose points, couplings, shut-off valves, filters, aged hoses, worn gaskets)

Ultrasonic leak detection
Ultrasonic leak detection
Replace old components (compressed air guns, blow-off valves)

LIGHTING
Reduce illuminance	Demand-oriented control (e.g., motion/presence detector)	Lamps protected against internal contamination (water, dust)
Reduce illuminance	Demand-oriented control (e.g., motion/presence detector)
Unscrew unnecessary lamps		Install LED lighting systems
Unscrew unnecessary lamps		Install LED lighting systems
Switch off light when not in use
Switch off light when not in use
Regularly clean lamps
Regularly clean lamps
OFFICE/IT/ADMINISTRATION
Switch off electronic devices when not in use (switchable power strips, timers)

No standby operation
No standby operation
Use only one monitor!
Use only one monitor!
Lower screen brightness
Lower screen brightness
MOBILITY
Avoid business trips and use online/remote tools
Avoid business trips and use online/remote tools
Use public transport if possible
Use public transport if possible
Reduce speed while driving
Reduce speed while driving
ADAPTING PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES
Establish energy task force	Regularly assign energy scouts (e.g., trainees) to conduct internal energy audits	Continuously monitor energy consumption and energy-saving measures
Establish energy task force
Launch idea competition	Load profile management for gas	Implement energy controlling or energy management
Launch idea competition	Load profile management for gas	Implement energy controlling or energy management
Define targets for energy efficiency and natural gas substitution	Load profile management for electricity
	Load profile management for electricity
Monitoring and regular communication	Manually shut-down high-speed steam generators and other non-energy-efficient equipment
Monitoring and regular communication
Employees incentives	Optimize the mode of operation (e.g. of tunnel ovens or continuous ovens)
Employees incentives
Motivate and spread awareness (e.g., information events, competitions, internal campaigns/communication)	Test device parts
	Test device parts
	Assess the necessity of certain systems
	Assess the necessity of certain systems
	Reduce operating times

Quick wins for energy savings

Implementing energy-saving measures doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag. These include adjusting light levels, lowering temperature settings, or ensuring proper maintenance of existing equipment to prevent unnecessary energy loss.

These measures are particularly effective when implemented across various departments and business units, and they require little investment to deliver considerable savings over time.

Enhancing energy efficiency with ISO 50001 energy management

One of the most effective ways to sustain energy savings is by implementing an energy management system (EnMS) in line with ISO 50001. This international standard provides businesses with a systematic approach to continually optimize their energy use, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

An EnMS helps businesses track their energy consumption, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements. With the EU’s goal to reduce primary energy consumption by 26%, ISO 50001 can play a critical role in achieving this target by helping businesses take a proactive approach to managing their energy use.

Reducing costs through smarter load management

Load management is another powerful tool that can help businesses avoid energy peaks that lead to increased costs. Energy control systems can monitor consumption in real-time, allowing businesses to reduce energy loads when necessary, preventing spikes that result in higher charges.

Large-scale consumers with annual consumption over 100,000 kWh are typically subject to remote power-consumption measurements every 15 minutes. Along with the basic rate and kilowatt-hour rate, these companies pay a demand rate based on the highest measured interval average during the billing period. A single load peak can significantly increase electricity costs, even if average consumption is low.

By using energy management systems to smooth out consumption, businesses can avoid these costly peaks.

Implement cloud-based EHS & ESG software

Even without technical upgrades, businesses can make simple organizational changes that lead to immediate energy savings. Reducing light intensity, lowering temperatures, or instituting a policy for turning off equipment when not in use are just a few examples.

These no-cost or low-cost measures often involve raising awareness and changing habits within the organization, which can lead to lasting energy reductions and cost savings.

Taking small steps now to improve energy efficiency can make a big difference in managing rising costs. By implementing the simple measures outlined in our infographic and leveraging tools like energy management systems, businesses can reduce their energy consumption, avoid unexpected spikes in demand, and stay competitive during challenging times.