Renting or letting a business space? Here’s how to cut energy costs
Running a business comes with enough costs already. Energy is becoming one of the biggest ones. Whether you lease a commercial space or run your business from one, there are simple ways to make it more efficient and cheaper to run. So where should you focus?
Why should landlords invest in energy efficiency?
If you let out business properties, energy efficiency can make a real difference to your bottom line.
- Make your space more attractive to businesses: lower running costs matter to tenants. An energy efficient space can help you stand out.
- Reduce long term costs: better insulation, heating and systems can lower maintenance and improve performance over time.
- Stay ahead of regulation: energy standards are changing for commercial properties too. Acting early can help you avoid bigger upgrades later.
- Support your tenants: helping businesses reduce their energy costs can build stronger, longer relationships.
Are you a tenant? Making your landlord aware of the mutual benefits can help build a case to improve energy efficiency in a win-win way.
Is solar a good option for your property as a landlord and for tenants?
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, helping your building use less energy from the grid. For business spaces, this can work particularly well. Most energy is used during the day, which is exactly when solar panels are generating power. If you’re thinking long term, solar could be worth a closer look. Find out more about solar.
- Cut energy costs where it matters most
Solar panels generate electricity during working hours, so you use less expensive grid energy when demand is highest. - Turn your roof into an asset
If you generate more energy than you use, you can export it and get paid. So, your building doesn’t just use energy, it produces it too. - Make your property stand out
Businesses are under pressure to reduce costs and carbon. Solar helps you offer both, making your space more attractive. - Take control of rising prices
Energy costs can change. Generating your own electricity gives you more certainty and less exposure to price spikes.
See how a small business makes the most of their solar panels
What can tenant businesses do to save energy?
Small changes can make a real difference to your comfort and your costs. And these simple suggestions mean you can stay inside your contract terms too.
Stop heat escaping
Draughts can increase energy use and make your space harder to heat.
Try this:
- Use draught excluders on doors or entrances
- Seal gaps around windows
- Close blinds or curtains at the end of the day
Keep heat where you need it
It’s not just about how much energy you use. It’s how you use it.
- Keep doors closed between rooms or work areas
- Avoid heating spaces you’re not using
- Don’t leave heating on when windows or doors are open
Get more from your heating
A few simple changes can help reduce wasted energy.
- Set timers to match your business hours
- Keep radiators clear
- Use radiator reflector panels to help push heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through walls
- Stick to a steady, comfortable temperature
Use lighting more efficiently
Lighting can make up a big part of your energy use, especially in shops, offices and workspaces.
- Use motion sensors in areas like corridors, toilets or storage rooms
- Switch to LED lighting to reduce energy use
- Make the most of natural daylight during working hours
Switch off and save
It’s easy for energy use to creep up during a busy working day. A simple end-of-day routine can help you stay in control.
- Turn off lights, equipment and appliances when closing up
- Avoid leaving devices on standby overnight
- Switch off monitors, printers and kitchen equipment at the wall where possible
Why does it work best together?
Energy efficiency works best when landlords and businesses work together.
Landlords improve the building and systems
Tenants manage how energy is used day to day
Together, this can lead to lower costs, better comfort and more efficient spaces.
Ready to start saving?
Start with one or two changes today. You might be surprised how quickly they add up. Looking for advice tailored to your business? Find energy efficiency tips for different industries and see what could work best for your space.
If you’re a landlord, look at what upgrades could make your property cheaper to run and more appealing to businesses. Want to go further? Find out what could work for your space and how much you could save.
Because when you take control of your energy, you take control of your business costs.
