Moving to a cheaper, greener energy system

A recent poll of small businesses showed that nearly two thirds1 of Britain’s business owners and senior decision makers think it’s important to embrace environmental issues, with many also seeing financial benefits as a result.

From those polled, 45 percent say that the changes they have made have saved them money, with 40 percent believing that becoming more sustainable has attracted more customers, as well as enhancing their reputation within the local community (44 percent).

With running costs remaining a concern for many small business owners, one in three polled2 say they are keeping a closer eye on their energy bills. When it comes to managing energy usage and costs, one small step small business owners can take, is to get a smart meter installed. They are the next generation of gas and electricity meters that are being installed in small businesses and households in Great Britain, replacing traditional meters.

When it comes to running a business, even making small changes and improvements can make a big difference, whether it’s saving money or being good for the planet. Getting a smart meter can help owners to understand exactly how much energy they are using and help them to control energy costs. A smart meter can also help identify ways to reduce energy consumption – which is good for budgets, as well as the planet.

Whether you own or rent your business premises, you may be eligible for a smart meter, and if you are renting, but pay your own energy bills, you can ask your supplier to install one3

Smart Meter Benefits

Smart meters have lots of benefits for small businesses, including:

• Accurate billing: smart meters measure energy usage in near real-time, so no more manual readings or estimated bills. This means you only pay for the energy you use, which can help with managing cashflow

• Control: the data provided by smart meters can give you more control over your business’ energy spend, helping you monitor energy usage and identify where cost savings can be made

• Access to historic energy usage data: small businesses with a smart meter can request free access to 12 months of data from their energy supplier. This could help with budgeting and reduce bill shock. It could also help you plan for your next bill by identifying any trends or patterns in your energy use across the year

As well as helping to give you more control of your business budgeting, smart meters are playing an important role in Great Britain’s energy infrastructure upgrade, as we continue to increase our use of cheaper, greener renewable energy sources.

The data smart meters provide is key to this innovation, and will enable us to buy, store and consume energy differently to the way we do today, gathering the information the energy networks need that will help the energy system better manage supply and demand. This will make the whole system more efficient and able to use more renewables such as wind and solar power.

So just by having a smart meter installed, you’re helping to create a smarter, greener energy system that will benefit Britain, the planet - and you.

What small business owners are doing to become more sustainable:

1. Turning off equipment when not in use

2. Recycling old IT equipment

3. Creating a recycling policy

4. Keeping a much closer eye on energy bills

5. Replacing lights with LED alternatives

6. Using environmentally friendly products eg for cleaning

7. Reusing plastic carrier bags

8. Going paperless

9. Using local suppliers

10. Using eco-friendly/ biodegradable packaging

Smart meters give you access to free and regular information on your energy use. Your energy supplier may provide this via an online platform, app, smart meter display or other data tools.

More than 70 local employers – like Barry Bassett from Acton-based VMI.TV – already pay the London Living Wage, which gives workers enough to support themselves and save.

As well as helping your team, it could help your bottom line too. 94% of accredited businesses say it helps attract customers and leads to better staff recruitment and retention.

And with a new package of incentives from Ealing Council, it’s a great time to get involved.

The London Living Wage - good for business, good for Ealing.

Alan Coates had a long, successful career at United Biscuits, where he worked for more than 30 years.

Following his retirement from his role as Board Director in 2003, he spent seven years at Business in the Community, where he used his knowledge and experience to influence corporate organisations to become more involved in responsible business practice (corporate social responsibility).

Now 76 and living with prostate cancer and angina, Alan has slowed down a little from the days he was out of the house from 7am to 7pm, but he loves people which shines through and loves nothing more than helping different people make meaningful connections.

With his corporate background and knowledge of responsible business practice, plus his warm people skills, Alan is perfect for the role of Advisory Director at West London Chambers of Commerce, which he joined about eight years ago.

“The Chamber is very willing to work in tandem with other people,” says Alan.

“They’re not all about the Chamber, they want to help the community too. It’s the motivation of the Chamber to make sure that the area has more opportunity and more togetherness. Looking back on my days with Business in the Community, I know what these companies want to achieve. And I know a lot of people!”

His contacts’ book is packed and he is good at spotting good fits for roles. John Bason, who became the Chair of the Place Programme, worked with Alan as Finance Director at United Biscuits and Alan introduced him to the programme.

“It’s nice to be in a position to be a catalyst to get people involved,” says Alan.

“I have that kudos; I can listen to what the Chamber needs and then talk to people and go for lunch and reminisce and find out what they need and provide support.”

The Place Programme is a Business in the Community initiative which targets areas that can benefit from links with the business world. Hounslow was chosen as a target area.

“When Business in the Community started to talk more about responsible business practice, they recognised that the business world can support them,” he adds.

“Chris Durkin, the President of West London Chambers of Commerce, was the primary driver in securing Hounslow on the Place Programme, and I got involved.

“The business world can help the Local Authority and work together on the area’s priorities, what is already going on in an area and what should be going on to make it more effective. The LA was facing the issue that lots of young people were not in work or education and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

“Hounslow is a good example of the power of integrating.

“The Place Programme looks at the key issues and the reasons why and what is needed to change it.

“Large businesses like Sky and SEGRO became more aware of how they could help the community and providing work experience for young people. Inspiring young people and showing them what they can do after school provides added value.”

Alan has sat on a variety of boards since he retired – including being Chair of Park Royal Partnership, Director of Knowledge Peers, Trustee of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation, the BAA Foundation and the charity Fareshare, and Chair of the Ealing and Hillingdon Educational Business Partnership – but now his focus is his family, health and taking things a little bit slower.

“My wife and I live in Windsor and there are some really nice areas in Windsor for a drive out,” says Alan, who has five grandchildren.

“I have prostate cancer and been having radiotherapy, and I have had angina for six or seven years, so I have got to be careful with a balance of getting some exercise. A lot of men my age are going to get hit by prostate cancer and angina but provided you’re sensible you can stay involved with things you enjoy.

“I can’t play football like I used to 30 or 40 years ago, but I’m a Chelsea fan and I like to watch them play at Stamford Bridge.

“I’ve done all sorts since I retired but now the only role I’ve kept on is the one with the Chamber.

“My wife and I have been married 50 years and when I was working, I would be out of the house from 7am to 7pm so I take it easier these days. We like to go on holiday and spend time with our grandchildren. We can spend a lot more time together which is lovely.”