As we near 2025, we can see, despite lots of talk, that we are facing escalating electricity costs that are only going up. There is no way it will go down soon.
The government's preferred solution is solar.
Most retailers rent, so it is not a practical solution. However, if you own your shop, it's worth considering if you are willing to wait years for a return.
Innovative energy management.
You can often do something to reduce electricity costs. Let's explore how you can reduce your power bill.
For most shops, lighting and climate control are the big energy guzzlers.
A retail store in Australia spends about $5,000-$7,000 on electricity annually. Here's how it typically breaks down: Lighting: 25% Heating/Cooling: 40% Refrigeration: 15% Computers: 10% Other Equipment: 10%
One point that people often forget is that a fridge heats a room; having many fridges will drive up cooling costs. You should ask the fridge installer if they can do something here. A simple duct that directs the heated air out can save money.
Still, the computer system is about $900 here. As a punt, I would say for a 12-hour day, your costs are
- $300-$400 per year for a desktop computer
- $100-$150 per year for a modern energy-efficient laptop
- $50-$100 per year for a standard monitor
These costs can add up quickly, especially when running multiple devices.
Practical Steps to Cut Costs
Switch to Energy-Efficient Equipment
Upgrading to the newer, energy-star-rated computer we sell can reduce your computer-related energy use by up to 50%.
Lighting Matters
LED bulbs use about 75% less energy.
Reducing the wattage of the globes can also help.
Smart Climate Control
A programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-15%.
Power Down
Turn off equipment when not in use, especially overnight. Even standby mode uses energy.
Shop Around
Don't stick with your current provider out of habit. Compare offers from different retailers - we saved about 15% just by switching.
Monitor Your Energy Use
How can you improve if you need to know where you are at? Here's how you can keep track:
Use a Power Meter
These handy devices, available for about $35 at most electrical stores, measure the electricity use of individual appliances. They are easy to use: You plug the meter and your device into it, leave the device on that unit for a day, record the cost, and then plug the meter into another unit.
Track Usage Over Time
Your electricity bills give you figures over the months. It will provide you with a clear picture of where you are going.
Peak Usage Times
You can adjust your electricity power to take advantage of off-peak rates if you have off-peak rates.
Computer Tricks to Reduce Energy Costs
Implementing these simple computer tricks can significantly reduce your energy consumption and costs:
Turn off printers
Switch off printers when not in use, especially overnight and on weekends.
Enable Power Management Settings
After inactivity, your computer's built-in power management features automatically put it into sleep mode. To Do this, go to Power Options in the Control Panel on Windows.
Do not use Screensavers
Screensavers prevent your computer from entering sleep mode, so it uses more energy unnecessarily. Use your settings to turn your screensaver off.
Laptops When Possible
Laptops typically use 80% less energy than desktop computers. If feasible for your business, consider switching to laptops for some tasks.
Adjust Monitor Brightness
Reduce your monitor's brightness to a low, comfortable setting. It can significantly decrease energy consumption.
Use Smart Power Strips
Consider installing smart power strips. These strips turn off devices attached to a computer when the computer is not in use. Our state electricity authority gave us some for free; you may be able to get one from them, too.
Choose Energy-Efficient Hardware
When upgrading, look at the ENERGY STAR, which uses about 30-65% less energy than standard models.
Do you need all computers running
Consider turning off a few of them if you do not need them for a few hours.
This can save about a thousand dollars on a typical computer that has been around for over five years.
Educate and Encourage Staff
Create a clear policy on energy-saving practices and remind employees to turn off their computers, photocopiers, etc.. When adopted company-wide, this can lead to significant savings.
The Bottom Line
You can control how you use energy in your shop. Ten percent here and five percent there can add up.
