Why Upgrading Old Equipment Can Save You Money in the Long Run
Upgrading old equipment can feel like an unnecessary expense. But aside from the additional maintenance costs of keeping old equipment running, there are long term savings to be had in electricity bills if you plan ahead.
Taking firm control of your company’s energy costs starts with an audit of your electricity usage, and determining the biggest culprits of energy waste. A combination of preventative maintenance, energy-efficient retrofits and planned equipment upgrades may be the best way to save money in the long run.
An upfront investment may seem counter-intuitive if you want to save your business money. However, the benefits often outweigh that initial cost.
Here are some of the ways your business can look at upgrading old equipment for long-term savings:
Get Smarter before upgrading old equipment
The first step to dramatically lowering your energy bill is to better understand how you currently use electricity in the office. A smart meter will provide you with real-time energy updates, so that you can identify some of the biggest offenders when it comes to energy waste.
Get clued up on energy-efficient lighting
Lighting is often the quickest way to make a dramatic dent in your energy bill. LED lighting is up to 80% more efficient than incandescent lighting, and businesses who make the switch from incandescent lighting can also expect bulbs to last between three and 25 times as long.
Fresher, cheaper air
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment is often the last thing an employer will think when it comes to optimising operations. But upgrading this equipment can make a massive difference when it comes to your energy bill.
Preventative maintenance such as cleaning air filters is the first step to reducing energy wastage, but making the switch to modern HVAC equipment can see significant cost savings down the line.
Consider upgrading your old equipment. You’ll thank us later.
The stats on thermostats
Replacing an outdated thermostat with a smart thermostat is a great way to lower your energy bill. You could see savings as high as 23% over regular thermostats recorded in 2013.
Programmable thermostats
- Automatically adjust room temperatures to optimal settings
- Can be programmed for different days of the week, or times of the day.
For buildings with multiple HVAC units:
- Staggering the timing on thermostats can help avoid peak-demand charges while keeping room temperatures under control.
Computers and office equipment
Inefficient office such as outdated computers and printers could be chewing into a significant portion of your energy bill. It’s worth taking a look at which equipment is drawing the most current. You can then identify whether switching to new equipment would reap a benefit over time.
Simple fixes could include looking into energy-saving functions such as computer power management functions, but in the long run. More efficient processing tools have made modern equipment far less demanding on your energy bill.
Vending machines
Look into replacing any vending machines on your premises with energy-efficient alternatives. Energy Star certified refrigerated vending machines are on average 40% more efficient than their predecessors. They can save up to 1000 kWh annually.
Consult with your vending supplier to ensure that machines on your premises are not consuming more energy than you think!
Trust an expert
At Smarter Business, our team of experts are on hand to help you save on your electricity bills. Whether you’re interested in installing a smart meter, or switching suppliers to save up to £1120 on your energy bill, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to find out more about our business gas and electricity services.