10 Business Energy Saving Tips to Reduce Your Winter Bills
As temperatures drop and daylight hours become shorter, keeping your workplace warm, well-lit and comfortable can increase energy consumption. For many UK businesses, this means higher winter energy bills alongside everyday operating costs.
Fortunately, reducing business energy costs doesn't always require expensive upgrades or major changes to how you work. Small improvements to heating, lighting and everyday energy use can make a meaningful difference over time.
There are environmental benefits, too. Using energy more efficiently can help businesses manage their carbon emissions, understand their environmental impact and make progress towards sustainability goals.
Whether you manage an office, retail space, warehouse or commercial premises, these 10 business energy saving tips for winter will help you identify practical opportunities to save energy, manage your business's winter bills and better understand your carbon footprint.
Why Do Business Energy Costs Increase During Winter?
Business winter energy costs often increase because colder temperatures create greater demand for heating, while shorter days mean workplaces rely more heavily on artificial lighting.
The amount of energy a business uses will depend on its premises, equipment, working hours and heating systems. For example, an office may experience higher heating and lighting demand, while a warehouse may need to consider heat loss through loading bays and large external doors.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, space heating accounts for approximately 49% of energy use in non-domestic buildings, highlighting why heating efficiency is an important consideration for businesses looking to save energy.
The UK government's Energy Efficiency for Businesses guidance also recommends practical improvements, from adjusting heating controls to switching off unnecessary equipment.
Rather than trying to make every change at once, businesses can start by identifying where they use the most energy and prioritising improvements that suit their premises and budget.
Want to Understand Your Business's Energy-Related Carbon Emissions?
Reducing energy consumption is a great starting point, but understanding how that energy contributes to your business carbon footprint can help you make more informed sustainability decisions. With Scope's business carbon accounting software, you can measure and manage your business emissions and build a clearer picture of your environmental impact.
Explore how Scope Carbon Tracking can support your business's sustainability journey.
10 Business Energy Saving Tips for Winter
The most useful energy saving tips for businesses focus on reducing unnecessary consumption without compromising employee comfort, safety or daily operations.
Some improvements can be made immediately, while others may require planning or investment. The table below provides a quick overview of ten ways businesses can improve energy efficiency during winter.
Energy-saving measure | Potential benefit |
Optimise heating schedules | Reduces unnecessary heating |
Prevent heat loss | Helps maintain indoor temperatures |
Switch to LED lighting | Reduces lighting electricity consumption |
Turn off unused equipment | Reduces unnecessary electricity use |
Maintain heating systems | Supports efficient operation |
Use smart meters and monitoring | Helps identify energy consumption patterns |
Involve employees | Encourages consistent energy-saving habits |
Review occupancy and heating zones | Avoids heating and lighting unused spaces |
Consider an energy audit | Identifies opportunities for improvement |
Track energy savings and emissions | Helps measure progress over time |
1. Optimise Your Workplace Heating
Heating is one of the first areas worth reviewing when looking for ways to reduce business energy costs during winter.
Keeping rooms warmer than necessary or heating areas outside working hours can increase energy consumption without providing additional benefits.
Start by reviewing thermostat settings and heating schedules to make sure they reflect how your workplace is actually used.
The UK government's Energy Efficiency for Businesses guidance recommends setting office heating to around 19°C, where appropriate. However, the ideal temperature will depend on the workplace, employee needs and the activities being carried out.
Practical improvements include:
Setting heating schedules around actual working hours.
Using programmable thermostats or smart heating controls.
Reviewing temperatures in rooms that are rarely occupied.
Keeping radiators clear of furniture and other obstructions.
Adjusting heating schedules during weekends and holidays.
For example, a business with meeting rooms that are only used occasionally could review whether those spaces need the same heating schedule as its main working areas.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary heating while maintaining a safe and comfortable working environment.
Heating-related emissions can also form part of your business carbon footprint, depending on how your premises are heated. Our guide to Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions explains how different business activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Prevent Heat Loss Through Doors, Windows and Insulation
Even an efficient heating system can use more energy than necessary if warm air is constantly escaping from the building.
Draughty windows, poorly sealed doors and insufficient insulation can make it harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, particularly during colder weather.
Businesses can reduce heat loss by checking window seals, installing draught excluders and insulating exposed heating pipes or hot water tanks where appropriate.
For warehouses and larger commercial premises, it's also worth reviewing how frequently loading bays and external doors are left open.
For businesses operating from rented or shared premises, understanding who controls heating and energy use can also be important when calculating emissions. Our guide to the carbon footprint of rented and shared offices explores these considerations in more detail.
Simple changes, such as repairing damaged seals or making sure doors close properly, can be a useful starting point before considering larger investments in insulation or glazing.
The Energy Saving Trust's workplace energy efficiency guide provides further recommendations for reducing heat loss in commercial buildings.
Improving insulation can help heating systems maintain comfortable temperatures more efficiently, potentially reducing winter energy consumption and associated costs.
3. Switch to Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
With fewer daylight hours during winter, businesses often rely more heavily on artificial lighting.
Switching from older incandescent or halogen lighting to LEDs can reduce electricity consumption while maintaining suitable lighting levels.
LED lighting also generally lasts longer than traditional bulbs, which can help reduce replacement and maintenance requirements.
Businesses can improve lighting efficiency further by:
Installing motion sensors in corridors, meeting rooms and storage areas.
Using timers to prevent unnecessary lighting outside working hours.
Making better use of natural daylight.
Reviewing whether all areas require the same level of lighting.
For example, an office could position desks closer to windows or remove objects blocking natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting during the day.
These improvements can be particularly useful for businesses operating larger offices, retail premises and other spaces where lighting is required for extended periods.
4. Switch Off Equipment and Reduce Standby Energy Consumption
Computers, monitors, printers and other workplace equipment can continue using electricity when left running unnecessarily.
This is sometimes referred to as standby energy consumption, where devices continue drawing power even when they aren't actively being used.
Although individual devices may consume relatively small amounts of electricity, the combined effect across an entire workplace can become significant.
Encourage employees to shut down equipment at the end of the working day and use energy-saving settings where appropriate.
Shared equipment, including printers, meeting room screens and kitchen appliances, is also worth reviewing.
The UK government's business energy-saving advice recommends switching off unnecessary lighting and appliances outside operating hours.
However, some equipment, including servers, refrigeration and essential safety systems, must remain operational. Businesses should always check equipment requirements before switching anything off.
5. Service Your Heating Systems Before Winter
Regular maintenance can help heating systems operate efficiently and reduce the likelihood of unexpected problems during colder months.
Blocked filters, faulty controls and poorly maintained equipment may reduce heating efficiency or increase the risk of breakdowns.
Arrange appropriate servicing for boilers, heating equipment and ventilation systems, particularly before periods of high demand.
Gas boilers should be maintained by appropriately qualified Gas Safe registered engineers, while other heating systems should be serviced by suitably competent professionals.
Businesses should also check whether heating controls and schedules still reflect current working arrangements.
A heating system that was programmed several years ago may no longer suit the way a workplace operates today.
Preventative maintenance won't guarantee lower energy bills, but it can support efficient operation and help identify problems before they become more disruptive.
6. Use Smart Meters to Monitor Business Energy Consumption
Understanding how much energy your business uses is an important step towards identifying opportunities for improvement.
Smart meters and other energy monitoring systems can help businesses access more detailed information about electricity and gas consumption.
Depending on the meter and monitoring arrangements, businesses may be able to review energy use at different times of the day and identify patterns that aren't obvious from monthly bills alone.
For example, an office that closes at 6pm but continues consuming substantial electricity overnight may benefit from reviewing its lighting, heating and equipment schedules.
Start by looking for:
Higher-than-expected energy consumption outside working hours.
Changes in electricity or gas usage during colder periods.
Differences between similar business locations.
Equipment that appears to operate unnecessarily overnight.
Opportunities to adjust heating and lighting schedules.
Monitoring energy consumption also provides useful information for carbon accounting.
If you're unsure what information your organisation already has available, our guide to the carbon data sources businesses already have explains how existing business records can contribute to emissions measurement.
7. Encourage Employees to Save Energy
Improving workplace energy efficiency is easier when everyone understands how they can contribute.
Small, everyday actions can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption without making employees feel responsible for managing the business's entire sustainability strategy.
Consider sharing seasonal energy-saving reminders through team meetings, newsletters or internal communications.
You could also appoint an energy-saving champion to help coordinate ideas and encourage participation.
Practical activities might include encouraging staff to switch off unused lights, shut down equipment when appropriate and report heating problems or draughts.
Employees who regularly use different areas of a building may also notice opportunities that aren't immediately obvious from energy bills.
The Energy Saving Trust's employee energy efficiency guide recommends involving staff in energy-saving initiatives and encouraging shared responsibility.
The aim is to make energy efficiency a positive part of everyday workplace operations rather than another complicated task.
8. Review Heating Zones, Occupancy and Flexible Working
Not every area of a workplace needs the same level of heating and lighting throughout the day.
Meeting rooms, storage areas and occasionally used offices may have different requirements from regularly occupied workspaces.
Heating zones allow businesses to control temperatures in different parts of a building, helping reduce unnecessary heating in areas that aren't being used.
Where suitable, thermostatic radiator valves and programmable controls can provide additional flexibility.
Businesses using hybrid working arrangements could also review whether certain areas can be used more efficiently on quieter days.
For example, if fewer employees are working on-site on Fridays, it may be possible to use fewer rooms rather than heating and lighting an entire building.
This doesn't automatically mean hybrid working reduces overall energy consumption, as employees may use additional energy at home. However, reviewing building occupancy can help businesses identify opportunities to manage energy use more effectively.
Any changes should account for ventilation, equipment requirements, accessibility and employee comfort.
9. Review Energy Tariffs and Consider a Business Energy Audit
Alongside reducing consumption, businesses can review whether their current energy tariff suits their operating requirements.
Some commercial electricity tariffs use different rates depending on the time of day.
For businesses with suitable time-of-use arrangements, moving flexible, energy-intensive activities to lower-cost periods may help reduce electricity bills.
However, this depends on the contract, operating requirements and available tariff rates. Moving energy use to a different time doesn't necessarily reduce the amount of electricity consumed or its associated carbon emissions.
Businesses should also consider conducting an energy audit to understand where energy is being used and which improvements may offer the greatest benefit.
An audit might involve reviewing energy bills, assessing heating and lighting systems, inspecting insulation or identifying equipment that consumes unnecessary electricity.
Larger organisations may have additional assessment obligations under the UK's Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).
An energy audit can provide a useful starting point for prioritising improvements and developing a longer-term approach to energy management.
10. Track Your Energy Savings and Carbon Emissions
Introducing business energy saving tips is a positive first step, but measuring the results helps you understand which improvements are working.
After making changes, compare energy consumption with previous periods to identify potential reductions.
Where possible, account for differences in outdoor temperature, occupancy, operating hours and business activity.
It's particularly useful to monitor energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), rather than relying on bills alone. This helps distinguish changes in energy use from fluctuations in energy prices.
Businesses can also use their energy consumption data to calculate associated greenhouse gas emissions.
If you're unfamiliar with emissions measurement, our guide to what a carbon baseline is explains how establishing a starting point can help businesses monitor progress over time.
Tracking energy use alongside carbon emissions allows businesses to connect practical workplace improvements with wider sustainability objectives.
How Does Reducing Business Energy Consumption Affect Carbon Emissions?
Reducing energy consumption can help businesses lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their operations.
Under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, business emissions are organised into three categories: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3.
For winter heating and electricity consumption, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are particularly relevant.
Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by the business. For example, natural gas burned in a company-controlled boiler.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the business.
Business activity | Emissions category | Example energy-saving action |
Natural gas burned in a company-controlled boiler | Scope 1 | Improve heating efficiency |
Purchased electricity used for office lighting | Scope 2 | Install LED lighting |
Purchased electricity used by office equipment | Scope 2 | Reduce unnecessary equipment use |
Purchased electricity used for electric heating | Scope 2 | Optimise heating controls |
Emissions classifications depend on the organisation's reporting boundaries and energy arrangements. Heating in rented or shared offices may require additional consideration.
For example, reducing the amount of natural gas used by a company-controlled boiler can reduce associated direct emissions. Similarly, reducing purchased electricity consumption can lower emissions calculated using a consistent electricity emissions factor.
However, the precise impact depends on the energy source, reporting method and relevant emissions factors.
For more information, explore our guide to Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions or learn more about what counts as Scope 2 emissions.
How Can Businesses Measure Their Winter Energy Savings?
Businesses can measure winter energy savings by comparing electricity and gas consumption before and after improvements, using consistent reporting periods and accounting for factors such as weather, occupancy and operating hours.
A simple five-step process can help make this more manageable.
Step 1: Gather your energy data
Collect electricity and gas consumption records from bills, meter readings or other available sources.
Step 2: Establish a baseline
Use previous consumption data to understand your starting point. Comparing similar winter periods can be more useful than comparing winter consumption directly with summer.
Step 3: Introduce energy-saving improvements
Record the changes you've made, such as adjusting heating schedules, improving insulation or replacing lighting.
Step 4: Review consumption
Compare energy use before and after the improvements, taking account of weather, occupancy and operational changes where possible.
Step 5: Calculate associated carbon emissions
Apply appropriate emissions factors to your energy consumption data to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your operations.
The UK government publishes greenhouse gas conversion factors that businesses can use to calculate emissions from activities including fuel and electricity consumption.
If you're unfamiliar with this process, our article explaining what emission factors are provides a helpful introduction.
This approach helps businesses move beyond simply making changes and begin understanding their results.
Make Business Carbon Tracking Easier With Scope
Reducing business energy costs is a positive step, and understanding the emissions associated with energy consumption can help organisations make more informed sustainability decisions.
That's where Scope Carbon Tracking can help.
Scope is a carbon accounting platform designed to help businesses measure, manage and report greenhouse gas emissions.
Rather than keeping emissions information across disconnected documents and spreadsheets, businesses can use Scope to organise their carbon data and build a clearer picture of their environmental performance.
Scope supports business emissions tracking and reporting, helping organisations understand their carbon footprint and monitor changes over time.
It's important to remember that carbon accounting software doesn't automatically reduce energy consumption. Instead, it provides information that businesses can use alongside practical energy-saving measures to support better decisions.
You can learn more about Scope's business carbon accounting software, explore our business carbon footprint calculator or review the available features and pricing.
Ready to better understand your business carbon footprint? Create a free account and start tracking with Scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Business Energy Saving Tips for Winter?
The best business energy saving tips for winter include optimising heating schedules, preventing heat loss, switching to LED lighting, turning off unused equipment and monitoring energy consumption. Businesses can begin with simple, low-cost improvements before considering larger investments in energy-efficient technology.
How Can Small Businesses Reduce Energy Costs During Winter?
Small businesses can reduce energy costs during winter by reviewing heating controls, improving insulation, using energy-efficient lighting and avoiding unnecessary electricity consumption. Regularly monitoring energy bills and meter readings can also help identify opportunities for further savings.
Why Do Business Winter Energy Bills Increase?
Business winter energy bills often increase because colder temperatures create greater heating demand and shorter daylight hours increase reliance on artificial lighting. Energy tariffs, building efficiency, occupancy and operational requirements also influence overall costs.
Can Reducing Energy Consumption Lower a Business's Carbon Footprint?
Reducing energy consumption can help lower a business's carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating, electricity and other energy use. The amount of emissions avoided depends on the energy source, consumption reduction and calculation method.
How Can Businesses Track Energy-Related Carbon Emissions?
Businesses can track energy-related carbon emissions by collecting electricity and fuel consumption data and applying suitable emissions factors. Carbon accounting software can help organise this information and support consistent reporting.
What Is the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Carbon Tracking?
Energy efficiency focuses on using less energy to achieve the same or a comparable outcome, while carbon tracking involves measuring the greenhouse gas emissions associated with business activities. Both can support a business's sustainability efforts, but they serve different purposes.
Does Working From Home Reduce Business Energy Costs?
Working from home may reduce on-site energy costs if a business can adjust heating, lighting and building operations to reflect lower occupancy. However, savings depend on how the workplace is managed, and additional energy consumption at employees' homes should be considered when assessing wider environmental impacts.
Start Making Winter Energy Savings Work for Your Business
Reducing business energy consumption during winter doesn't need to involve changing everything at once.
From reviewing heating schedules and improving insulation to monitoring electricity use, there are plenty of practical ways to manage winter energy costs.
By combining these improvements with a clearer understanding of energy-related carbon emissions, businesses can make informed decisions that support both operational efficiency and long-term sustainability goals.
Explore Scope Carbon Tracking to learn how your business can begin measuring and managing its carbon footprint.
Comments