The Effect of Energy Waste on The Environment and Your Pocket 

No Space for Energy Waste 

In the race to net-zero, it is our collective responsibility to ensure we are using energy as efficiently as possible. Together with the high cost of energy, there are strong motivators to identify and prevent areas of energy waste to cut consumption and costs.  

What is Energy Waste? 

When energy is generated, but not used – or used inefficiently – it is called energy waste. What is the cause of energy waste? Waste can occur in a variety of different ways including: 

• -Leaving equipment on standby or usage outside of operating times or building occupation. 
• -When companies operate machinery outside of standard operating procedures. 
• -Compressor leakage and other machine issues. 
• -Inefficiency and maintenance neglect. 
• -Poor insulation.  

The Cost of Energy Waste 

Energy waste may seem negligible, but it has a strong impact on the environment and the economy. It is expected that energy demand is set to increase as populations grow and power requirements increase. With it, the effects of energy waste are anticipated to intensify. According to the Climate Change Committee, businesses currently responsible for 65% of the U.K.’s power demand. This makes addressing energy waste a strongly recommended focal point going forward. 

Unnecessary energy use contributes to greenhouse gas and carbon emissions. It also costs the U.K. economy. In a few cities, energy waste from offices alone cost £60 million in energy bills. This impacts profitability and the economy. In fact, Green Alliance has reported that energy efficiency has accounted for a quarter of the U.K.’s economic growth and boosted productivity.  

How To Prevent Energy Waste and Power Up The Benefits  

Innovations like energy waste recycling are mitigating the effects of energy waste. However, the most effective way to prevent the impact of this is to prevent it in the first place. Digital technologies have the potential to drastically simplify this, making it attainable for SMEs to industry and manufacturing.  

Understand commercial energy consumption (for smarter energy savings) 

Smart meters and smart energy monitoring software solutions let consumers know exactly where and how much energy they are using throughout their operations. Our platform, SmarterView, provides whole-operations insights for comprehensive overviews and detailed insights per machine – empowering action based on actual data.  

Using granular, real-time data means businesses can identify areas of waste with relative ease and implement changes to prevent waste. Together with smart sensors and automations, this can be taken a step further. This gives managers and owners the ability to ensure usage around actual occupancy and need, for example.  

In the long term, by establishing consumption trends, businesses can further boost efficiency strategies to set attainable benchmarks and cut consumption. This comes with the added benefits of: 

• -Simplified, transparent reporting based on data.  
• -Reduced energy bills. 
• -Accurate billing and simplified dispute resolutions.  
• -Streamlined re-billing and improved tenant relationships. 
• -Assistance in meeting compliance and ESG requirements.  
• -Improved customer and stakeholder satisfaction.  

Power Down For Savings 

Knowing what equipment is being used at different times through real-time data insights reduces the expense of unnecessary lighting or equipment on standby.  

Equipment Working At Its Peak 

Data insights allow the energy intensity of key equipment to be closely monitored for efficiency. By incorporating smart sensors into the equation, run times allow for optimised maintenance scheduling to ensure equipment is working as efficiently as possible throughout its lifetime.  

These data insights can also act as early warning systems to pre-empt and troubleshoot issues. This, in turn, supports business continuity and productivity.  

Boosted Building Performance 

Heating and cooling can account for significant wasted consumption and losses. Checking the efficiency of HVAC and boiler systems is a good first step. However, other factors may be at play. Ensuring thermostats are heating and cooling around actual conditions – and automating the levels – can make a notable difference.  

Taking it a step further by ensuring there are no issues with insulation – and monitoring doors and windows – reduce waste in this area.  

This not only serves to cut consumption (and reduce energy bills), but also creates a healthier, more comfortable and productive place to work. In work environments where equipment is sensitive to temperature – like in server rooms and hospitality, for example – temperature monitoring and machine performance is especially important. Alerts when pre-set thresholds are breached can avert disaster and maintain consistency.  

Get Smarter About Energy Waste 

Contact Smarter Business today to discuss our smarter energy solutions for business. From ensuring you’re on the right contract to powerful digital solutions and energy management strategies, we’re by your side to ensure your business is operating as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.