Improving energy efficiency can help small and medium sized businesses cut costs and secure operations into the future, but for some, knowing where to start can be difficult.

For small and medium businesses, energy efficiency is a key strategy for managing operational costs and reducing exposure to rising energy prices. Lowering energy consumption can not only improve your bottom line but can also help you remain competitive in an evolving market.

Using these practical steps, your business can become more energy efficient, lowering operational expenses, enhancing productivity, reducing maintenance and strengthening your brand reputation, all while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Step 1: Assess and manage your energy use

The first step to improving efficiency is to understand your current energy consumption by assessing usage and identifying key areas for reduction. Businesses can:

• Conduct an energy audit to evaluate usage patterns and greenhouse gas emissions
• Identify high-consumption areas such as heating, cooling, and lighting systems
• Use data-driven insights, including information on your power bills, to implement targeted improvements

With the right strategies, businesses can optimise energy use without sacrificing performance.

Step 2: Implement energy-efficient solutions

Upgrading to energy-efficient technologies is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy usage and power bills. Key improvements businesses can make include:

• Replacing inefficient equipment with energy efficient alternatives
• Installing motion detectors and timers to control lighting and reduce energy waste
• Upgrading to LED lighting for improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance

Simple changes can yield significant long-term savings and reduce your business’s environmental footprint.

Step 3: Engage and upskill employees

Creating a workplace culture that values sustainability ensures that energy efficiency practices are embedded in daily operations. Businesses can:

• Provide training on best practices and energy-efficient technologies
• Encourage staff to identify energy efficiency opportunities and suggest improvements
• Set clear energy efficiency goals and track and share progress against them

When employees are engaged, businesses can drive lasting behavioural change that leads to significant cost savings.

Step 4: Identify incentives and funding opportunities

There are a range of financial incentives and support available to help businesses invest in energy efficiency. Some of these include:

• Energy efficiency grants and funding programs offered by local, state and federal governments to help businesses upgrade to energy efficient equipment
• Grants to support with the implementation of energy saving and efficiency measures
• Financing options from banks and financial institutions to assist with the purchase of energy efficient equipment, vehicles, solar panels, and other initiatives.

Taking advantage of these opportunities can accelerate your transition to a more energy efficient business, while also reducing the need for upfront investment.

Step 5: Develop a long-term energy efficiency plan

To ensure energy efficiency is an integrated part of your ongoing business operations, not a one-time fix, businesses can:

• Develop a longer-term energy efficiency plan incorporating some targets and goals to work towards to reduce energy use and costs
• Monitor energy use and track progress over time
• Regularly review and update energy management strategies, and make changes as needed to continue to work towards your goals

Through long-term changes to your business operations and practices, you can reap both financial savings and environmental benefits for years to come.

Step 6: Address common barriers to energy efficiency

Challenges such as limited funding or sustainability knowledge prevent many businesses from pursuing energy efficiency improvements. To overcome these barriers, businesses can:

• Identify low cost, high impact opportunities to start saving immediately
• Seek expert advice, including from Business Chamber Queensland sustainability experts to prioritise actions and investments
• Identify and leverage available government and industry resources to implement solutions effectively

Proactive energy management doesn’t have to be complex or expensive, it just requires the right-sized approach for your business.

Step 7: Measure success and continuous improvement

Tracking energy use and cost savings is essential to confirming your efficiency efforts are paying off, and to continue driving impact. Business can:

• Conduct regular energy efficiency assessments to identify new opportunities and areas for improvement
• Measure reductions in energy consumption and associated cost savings
• Continuously refine practices to maximise energy efficiency gains

With the right strategy and an ongoing commitment to energy efficiency, businesses can achieve meaningful savings while contributing to a more sustainable future.

If you’d like support to understand and improve your energy efficiency, with expert advice, tools and programs specially designed to measure and reduce resource use, Business Chamber Queensland can help. Our experienced sustainability consultants are available to guide you through an assessment of your business’s current energy efficiency and to develop lasting solutions that not only reduce your energy use but also position your business to capitalise on current and future sustainability opportunities. Get in touch with us today.