This resource has been written by Smart Energy GB
With the rising cost of living, small businesses such as independent retailers are feeling the pinch. According to Smart Energy GB research, three-quarters of small business owners have had to increase their prices as a way to cope. Unfortunately, resulting in over half of the small businesses surveyed claim they have lost customers as a result.
But that isn’t all. 28% of small business owners don’t know how much their next energy bill will be. And the number of business owners who receive estimated bills has risen by 13% since the start of the year.
This means more and more businesses don’t know how much they are spending each month, making it harder to take control of their bills.
So, how can you reduce the costs to run your business?
1. Keep a closer eye on monthly bills
Knowing how much you’re spending each month will help you take control of your bills. You can begin by tracking how much energy you’re using. You’ll just need a smart meter to do this.
With a smart meter, you’ll be able to view how much energy your company is using online, in a way that traditional meters can’t show you. Smart meters also send your energy readings directly to your supplier, meaning accurate bills and an end to time spent submitting manual meter readings.
According to our research, 72% of business owners either have a smart meter or are thinking about getting one to better manage their energy use. So, are you ready to take control of your energy usage and request your smart meter?
Request your smart meter here
2. Shop around for different energy suppliers
Shop around online to see if you can get more out of your energy supplier, or if there’s a better deal out there for you. You could find a cheaper deal or one that charges less during times when you use a lot more energy.
3. Switching to greener solutions
Based on research from Smart Energy GB, nearly seven in ten business owners have plans to avoid increasing their prices for the rest of this year. Being more sustainable by using less energy is one way to do that.
There are many sustainable things small business owners have done to cut costs. Some include: turning off appliances when they’re not in use, reducing the amount of energy used and going paperless.
Getting a smart meter is another solution that can make your business greener. Smart meters can show you when you are using your energy, which could help you find ways to cut down. They also allow energy suppliers to rely more heavily on renewable energy which helps us use fewer fossil fuels.
Request a smart meter for your business and/or home here