If you’re trying to save money on your business energy costs, there are a few tips to help you understand your Business Energy Bill. These tips cover how to identify energy hogs in your business, how to pay by direct debit, and what taxes and levies might be included. These tips will help you understand the bill better and make smarter decisions about the energy usage in your business.
Identifying your business’s biggest energy hogs
There are many ways to reduce energy costs in your business. One way to do this is by identifying your business’s energy hogs. Some of the most common energy hogs include appliances and systems that constantly run. This means you can reduce your energy use by turning them off or switching to an energy-efficient version.
Another way to reduce energy consumption is by turning off unnecessary lights. This is simple and effective, and it will save you money. In addition to that, you can also try using more natural lighting. Fluorescent lights are notorious energy hogs. These light bulbs abuse vampire power and use a lot of energy.
Understanding your business’s energy bill
There are several key elements in your business’s energy bill. First of all, you need to understand the amount of energy you’re using. This is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). This figure is also known as the total amount you owe the business energy supplier. In addition, there are several important messages on your bill.
The amount of energy you use can vary from month to month, even in the same building. If you can predict your usage, you can make changes to reduce your bill. The first thing you can do is review your historical bills. This will give you an idea of what the average monthly bill was like.
Paying by direct debit
Many suppliers offer a discount for paying your energy bill by direct debit. However, you should always make sure you pay the correct amount each month and check your balance. This is especially important in winter, when you use more energy and your credit from the summer will cover your usage. Make sure you have paid enough each month to avoid being liable for any increases in the next billing period.
The easiest way to pay a business energy bill is to set up Direct Debit and pay online. However, this is only available for business customers. If you are a residential customer, you will need to visit the British Gas residential website instead.
Levies and taxes on your bill
If you have an office, you probably have a bill with a long list of levies and taxes. For example, you may be paying for the Climate Change Levy, which will show up as a separate line on your energy bill. Other hidden levies and taxes include the Renewables Obligation and Feed in Tariff. These levies and taxes are about decarbonising the fuel supply and meeting international emissions quotas.
Another thing to remember is that your business energy bill also includes VAT charges. These are added to your bill by your energy supplier and usually total about 20%. However, you can qualify for a discounted rate of 5% if you meet certain criteria. It is also worth looking at the Feed-in Tariff, which was introduced as a way to encourage small-scale renewable electricity generation. This payment will also show up on your bill, but you should check whether or not you qualify for this.
Saving money on your bill
When it comes to your business energy bill, there are plenty of ways to save money. Whether it’s the rising cost of electricity or natural gas, you can find programs that can help you reduce energy usage. In many cases, the small changes you make can make a big difference in your monthly bill.
One simple change you can make to reduce energy costs is installing a smart thermostat. These thermostats can adjust to your office’s occupancy and energy usage. By making these adjustments, you can save as much as 20% or 30% on your bill. Similarly, many businesses use hot water only for hand washing, so setting the temperature lower will save energy. Additionally, you should consider installing connected thermostats to give you more control over your HVAC system.
