How much does it really cost to heat your business?

Your expenses as a company owner can quickly mount up. From shelling out for your premises to covering wage costs and business rates, you’ve no doubt got many drains on your finances. Then there are your utility bills to consider, and your heating costs may make up a major chunk of these. But how much do you really have to shell out to heat your business, and are there ways to save money?

Half your energy costs

There’s no escaping the fact that energy costs can be high for firms. Highlighting this fact, a poll conducted by the Forum for Private Business last autumn revealed that 70 per cent of companies had experienced a rise in energy bills in 2014. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that heating and hot water can account for around half of the average firm’s energy expenses.

Using your heating efficiently

Fortunately though, there are ways to cut costs. For example, by using your heating more efficiently, you could save yourself a tidy sum. Did you know that you can cut your annual heating costs by up to eight per cent simply by lowering your thermostat by just 1°C? You can also bring your bills down by making sure you only heat your premises when they are in use. To stop your pipes from freezing when your building is empty, simply activate the ‘frost protection’ setting over weekends and holiday periods. It also pays off to ensure that your hot water is only heated to between 60°C and 65°C. As water solutions specialists Arrow Valves highlights, this temperature range is enough to prevent Legionella bacteria from breeding in water.

In addition, you can make your heating system more efficient by leaving plenty of space around radiators and by keeping doors and windows closed in cold weather. It’s a good idea to ensure that your boiler, pipes, ductwork and tanks are well insulated too, and to maintain your heating equipment properly.

Choosing the right system

Meanwhile, if you’re thinking of investing in a new heating and hot water system, or you’re upgrading an existing one, try to choose the most efficient option available. There are now a range of energy-saving features to look out for, including optimiser thermostats, sequencing controls, zone controls and heat recirculating units.

Bear in mind too that a rising number of businesses are turning to renewable energy systems, like solar water heating, to keep their costs in check. As well as helping to bring bills down, these solutions can help you to cut your carbon footprint.