# A third of all business owners are not taking measures to make their office eco-friendly
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2017-03-15
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: Save Energy & Money: UK Business Owners Neglecting
Meta Description: Find out how Make it Cheaper's research highlights missed opportunities for UK business owners to reduce energy emissions and save money by implementing
URL: https://financedigest.com/a-third-of-all-business-owners-are-not-taking-measures-to-make-their-office-eco-friendlyhtml

![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/dm032420161224-1-1736844095196-compressed.jpg)

- **1 in 5 business owners don’t consider how energy efficient equipment is when purchasing it**
- **A fifth of UK business owners don’t know how much they spend on gas and electric per month**
- **Nearly half (49%) of business owners spend over £1,000 on energy each month**

With computers buzzing, lights shining and air-con switched on, a typical UK office uses a large amount of [energy each day](https://www.financedigest.com/russian-missiles-hit-30-of-ukraines-energy-infrastructure-in-two-days-minister.html "Russian missiles hit 30% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in two days – minister"). Whilst essential, [energy emissions](https://www.financedigest.com/mcdonalds-targets-net-zero-emissions-by-2050-from-meat-to-energy.html "McDonald’s targets net zero emissions by 2050, from meat to energy") affect both the environment and bank balance, so what are business owners doing to curb their output?

New research conducted by saving experts for businesses, Make it Cheaper, has found that many business owners are missing opportunities to reduce their [energy emissions and save on costs](https://www.financedigest.com/the-top-strategies-for-saving-money-on-energy-costs.html "The Top Strategies for Saving Money on Energy Costs").

Nearly a third (31%) of UK business [owners say](https://www.financedigest.com/soccer-manchester-united-fans-want-more-say-under-any-new-owners.html "Soccer-Manchester United fans want more say under any new owners") that their office doesn’t take extra measures to make the space eco-friendly. With a further 1 in 5 (18%) saying they don’t consider how [energy efficient](https://www.financedigest.com/demand-for-energy-efficient-and-advanced-fairway-mowers-to-be-witnessed-across-europe.html "Demand for Energy-efficient and Advanced Fairway Mowers to Be Witnessed across Europe") equipment is when purchasing it for their office.

Interestingly their employees disagree, with two-thirds (67%) saying that their employers don’t take eco-friendly measures in the workplace, and 16% [say that their office don’t consider how energy](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-will-propose-windfall-levies-on-energy-firms-von-der-leyen-says.html "EU will propose windfall levies on energy firms, von der Leyen says") efficient equipment is when purchasing it.

The research also found nearly half (49%) of [business owners spend over £1,000 on energy](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-government-to-cap-energy-bills-for-businesses-bloomberg.html "UK government to cap energy bills for businesses – Bloomberg") each month, with 7% spending over £2,000. Conversely, a fifth of (21%) [business owners don’t even know how much they spend on gas](https://www.financedigest.com/bhp-in-talks-to-sell-global-oil-gas-business-to-australias-woodside.html "BHP in talks to sell global oil, gas business to Australia’s Woodside") and electric each month.

To help business owners become more eco-friendly, Make it Cheaper has created an [online hub](https://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy/eco-guide.aspx) with advice on saving energy in the workplace. Including top tips for both employers and employees on how to [reduce energy](https://www.financedigest.com/britains-ofgem-to-urge-public-to-reduce-energy-usage-ft.html "Britain’s Ofgem to urge public to reduce energy usage – FT") consumption.

Some business owners have already implemented these measures, and are making sure windows are closed when the air conditioning/heating is switched on, they use [energy saving](https://www.financedigest.com/switzerlands-engineering-sector-urges-country-to-start-energy-saving-now.html "Switzerland’s engineering sector urges country to start energy saving now") light bulbs and have installed light sensors.

**The most popular eco options implemented in the office are:**

1. Windows are closed when air conditioning/heating is switched on (47%)
2. [Energy saving](https://www.financedigest.com/france-to-turn-off-hot-water-in-public-offices-to-save-energy.html "France to turn off hot water in public offices to save energy") light bulbs (46%)
3. Light sensors (37%)
4. Smart meters (29%)
5. Remote heating controls (28%)

Changing energy supplier is another [way to save on energy costs](https://www.financedigest.com/top-5-ways-businesses-can-save-on-energy-costs-in-q4.html "Top 5 Ways Businesses Can Save on Energy Costs in Q4"). Despite this,1 in 8 (13%) [business owners have never changed](https://www.financedigest.com/unitedhealth-to-sell-change-healthcares-claims-business-for-2-2-billion.html "UnitedHealth to sell Change Healthcare’s claims business for .2 billion") their energy provider, and only (7%) have switched supplier in the last year.

Of the reasons business owners don’t change [energy suppliers](https://www.financedigest.com/germany-braces-for-energy-supplier-casualties.html "Germany braces for energy supplier casualties"), they cited ‘it isn’t worth my time’ (44%), ‘will face exit fees with current supplier’ (37%), and ‘it takes a lot of time and effort’ (36%) as their main concerns.

Nick Heath, Head of [Energy Insight](https://www.financedigest.com/energy-costs-for-most-british-households-to-fall-18-from-july-cornwall-insight.html "Energy costs for most British households to fall 18% from July -Cornwall Insight") at Make it Cheaper, said: “There is a common misconception that changing energy suppliers for your business is an arduous task, yet it couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting a quote is quick and simple, you just need your [current meter reading and a few personal details](https://www.financedigest.com/poly-cotton-fabric-market-detailed-analysis-of-current-and-future-industry-figures-till-2020-2030.html "Poly Cotton Fabric Market Detailed Analysis of Current and Future Industry Figures till 2020-2030"). Also, many suppliers don’t issue exit fees, and for those that do, the savings made by switching usually outweighs the charge.

“As well as exploring the option of different energy providers, there are many [steps business owners can take to help create an energy efficient](https://www.financedigest.com/factoring-in-fail-safes-five-practical-steps-for-more-efficient-transparent-reporting.html "Factoring in fail-safes: five practical steps for more efficient, transparent reporting") workplace too. Conducting energy audits, switching to LED bulbs, and rewarding eco-friendly staff are just some of the [ways](https://www.financedigest.com/5-unique-ways-to-go-greener-in-the-office.html "5 unique ways to go greener in the office") to help promote green culture in the office.”

To find out how businesses can reduce their energy output and save money, please visit our online eco hub: [https://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy/eco-guide.aspx](https://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy/eco-guide.aspx)


---
This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more.
---