Importance of energy efficiency in companies

Implementing energy efficiency in the business environment goes beyond saving, installing LED bulbs in the office, and the financial benefits of the organisation. Today, companies are under scrutiny from consumers and regulators with regard to their commitment to sustainability. Adopting energy-efficient practices not only reduces the carbon footprint but also strengthens their position in the market by meeting the demands made by increasingly environmentally conscious customers.

Energy efficiency could well be considered to be a "magical" tool that helps reduce costs, a winning formula that benefits everyone: Companies and consumers. It represents a cornerstone in modern business strategy. It enables a more rational use of financial resources and also contributes to a company's image and reputation, aligning it with the sustainable values that set the standard in today's business world.

Advantages for companies by saving energy

When a company opts for energy savings in companies, it generates numerous strategic advantages, ranging from increased profitability to building a sustainable vision and enjoying a certain status in the market:

• It helps control costs: It enables businesses to reduce their operating costs by monitoring electricity consumption and the associated bills. This financial optimisation not only improves profitability in the short term, but also frees up resources that can be reinvested in the different areas of the business that require it.
• It complies with regulations: Energy efficiency not only involves generating financial savings, but also compliance with regulatory and environmental regulations, which government agencies are making increasingly stringent. Companies that implement energy-efficient practices are better positioned to meet legal standards which will help them avoid penalties and ensure their operational continuity without legal setbacks.
• It improves sustainability: Reducing and maintaining constant control of energy consumption contributes to long-term business sustainability. Companies that show they have a genuine commitment to protecting the environment enjoy a positive reputation that attracts sustainability-conscious customers, and also fosters strategic links and beneficial collaborations with other socially responsible organisations.
• It increases productivity: Suitable lighting and regulated heating in offices and other areas improve employee productivity by creating a more pleasant working environment. This efficient use of energy leads to savings and provides the team with overall well-being.
• Being more innovative and avant-garde: Companies that adopt energy-saving practices tend to be more innovative in their sectors. By being more agile, dynamic, and financially and humanly pragmatic by means of energy efficiency, organisations can focus on research and development activities, adopt advanced technologies, and explore new markets.

10 ways for your business to save energy

Optimising the lighting in your offices and increasing employee awareness of the importance of sustainability are just some of the practices that will help your company reduce its energy consumption. Here are 10 ways to save and boost energy efficiency in your business:

Using smart devices

Smart devices such as motion sensors, smart thermostats and automated lighting systems enable more efficient management of energy resources, resulting in considerable savings on each electricity bill and real-time control and monitoring of energy consumption in your business.

Switching off unused electrical appliances

It may seem obvious, but this is something we do very little both at home and in our workplaces. How many times do you turn off the photocopier when you leave the office? How often do you unplug your laptop or mobile phone after you finish charging? Identify which devices can be switched off at the end of your working day, this will help avoid "standby" or phantom consumption.

Workspace maintenance

This is essential to optimise energy efficiency in your business. Thoroughly inspecting the boiler, t together with the insulation and electrical installation are essential routines with regard to business maintenance. Any breakdowns in these areas can cause your consumption to increase and the cost will appear in your bills.

Schedule heating and air conditioning

Optimise and regulate the office air conditioning system in accordance with both the hours of activity of your business and the temperatures expected depending on the season. This control will guarantee savings, comfort and sustainability in the day-to-day running of your company.

Lighting systems

If you place switches by work area, you will avoid having the lights on in the whole office when there is only activity in one corner. This will enable you to have better control over which lights are on and you will be able to save a lot of energy.

Install timers in toilets, common areas, and hallways. This will prevent lights from staying on when no one needs them, or someone from carelessly forgetting to turn them off.

The classic light bulb is a thing of the past. Because of their durability and efficiency, LED bulbs are ideal for the lighting in your business.

They control energy consumption and light pollution because they take into account the flow of people and vehicles. They represent a significant energy saving and are especially suitable for outdoor lighting. Endesa would be delighted to advise you in this regard.

Monitor consumption

With the resources provided by current technology, it is possible to track and analyse energy use in detail in real time, identifying areas of opportunity to optimise the company's consumption. By gathering this information it will be possible to adjust operating schedules, replace obsolete equipment with a more efficient model, and implement automatic shutdown strategies. Monitoring also makes it possible to evaluate and follow up on the measures adopted, in order to obtain sustainable energy savings, as well as economic and environmental benefits.

Environmental awareness

Teamwork and promoting collective sustainable thinking within the organisation are the key for a company to progress along the path to energy efficiency. It is essential to make employees aware of the importance of sustainability, so that through them and their habits in their day-to-day work, progressive energy savings can be achieved.

Contract an electricity tariff to save energy in your company

Endesa is committed to sustainability and caring for the environment, which is why its range of products includes "Tempo Empresas" and "Open Empresas" tariffs, two of our main electricity tariffs for SMEs and companies that are committed to energy efficiency and taking care of the environment while saving. Lower prices during off-peak hours, monitoring tools and customised assessment to optimise energy use are just some of the advantages and these in turn will help to obtain significant savings on the electricity bill.

Saving energy on office equipment

To reduce the energy consumption of your computers you should set the screensaver for all of them to black (it is the colour that consumes the least). You should set the screensaver to activate after 10 minutes, for example, or a time that you consider reasonable for those devices that are not in use.

Take advantage of natural light

The sun has always been a good ally to save electricity, and in the business environment it can be used as a very effective "tool". Taking advantage of natural light will help decrease electricity use. How? With the installation of photovoltaic solar panels, with the design of spaces with large windows, with the location of desks, tables, cubicles and meeting rooms in places close to windows or doors where sunlight can enter, even adjusting the working day so as only to work during daylight hours.