- Each SMB could pay £90+/year just to run a single computer, the report shows
- Most workers leave their devices on even when they are not there
- This could be the perfect opportunity to modernize with energy efficient technology
Although many companies have largely strengthened return-to-the-office policies, many are still struggling with higher-than-average energy bills due to worker behaviour, new research has claimed.
The Uswitch study reveals that running a single computer can cost over £90 a year for SMBs, and workers hardly help when it comes to saving electricity.
About a fifth of workers admit to leaving laptops, desktops and monitors on simply because they don’t need to pick up the energy bill.
Work habits push up office energy bills
However, this is not just a daily habit. A quarter leave them on during vacations or extended shutdowns, 22% rarely or never turn off their screen when away for extended periods, and 21% rarely or never put their computer to sleep when it’s not active.
On the other hand, the number of workers making proactive energy-conscious decisions is low. Only about a third adjust screen brightness to reduce energy consumption.
Business energy expects Ben Gallizzi encourages companies to carry out a company energy audit to identify where electricity is being wasted as a starting point. From there they have a number of routes.
In addition to replacing older, energy-inefficient devices, SMBs should educate staff and refine policies and employee expectations. “There are opportunities for business owners and managers to better communicate energy policies and the benefits of reducing energy for both sustainability and economic purposes,” he wrote.
They can also seek to lower bills by finding other providers with lower unit prices. Commercial renewal windows are generally up to six months before the contract’s end date, Gallizzi explained.
Even combined, these changes may not have a huge impact on your energy bills, but in today’s cash-strapped economy, any savings add up.
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