Fluctuating energy prices can hit businesses hard, especially when it comes to operations that have very clear high and low seasons. This is especially true when you not only have fluctuating periods, but also operate outside of urban areas. Don’t let the high delivery costs cut your business down.
With this guide, you’ll know your options and how you can keep your energy, heating, and even other associated costs like cooking, down.
Shop Around for the Most Cost-Effective Energy Provider
The best energy provider for your business is going to depend on your location, business type, and needs. A small office in a city can easily find a great option using the main grid, while a luxury hotel in the countryside or in the mountains is going to need its own dependent supply of both power and heating. In this second situation, you’ll need to shop around for multiple providers: for the cheapest electricity (and this goes alongside your generator); and for a professional propane service.
When it comes to supplying a remote location with essentials like propane, you need to choose a service that can safely and reliably deliver your propane every season, or at least provide you with enough to last through the worst parts of winter.
Use Energy-Efficient Solutions to Minimize Costs
Shopping around will help you find the lowest-cost provider that offers the highest level of service. The next step will help you reduce the amount of energy you use outright, no matter whether it’s energy from the grid, or your propane tank:
Smart Systems
To start, have a smart system installed in your property. The goal of this smart system is to use less energy overall to heat your property. For example, you could key it to the person who opens the office, so that the heating only turns on when the first employee is a certain distance away.
Smart Management
For businesses like hotels, think smaller. A great way to save during the low season is to close a section of your hotel and keep it between 55 to 60°F to prevent the pipes from bursting. This way, you can dedicate the heat to where your guests are staying, allowing you to keep them comfortable in a cost-effective manner.
Reduce Your Reliance on the Grid
Between energy-saving solutions and shopping around for deals you have already reduced your energy and heating costs. What’s next, if it’s in your budget, is to offload your reliance on the grid itself. Use solar panels or a solar heater to help offset the energy costs of running your business. You might qualify for federal tax credits which will help you offset their up-front price, and allow you to save more over time.
Seal Gaps and Replace Windows
One of the final ways in which you can make it more cost-effective to heat your business is to go through and professionally seal any air gaps, or replace any old windows or doors.
A fully insulated space is infinitely more comfortable for staff and guests, and also easier to heat and manage, giving you a win-win investment.
