As a mechanic, you probably work hard to keep your business going. You know that every penny counts and that every pound saved helps to put food on your family’s table. But did you know there are ways in which you can cut back on your energy costs?
Reducing these costs can help your business grow, so we’ve put together some simple tips for conserving the amount of energy used by machines and equipment in your workshop or garage.
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Do an Energy Audit
Energy audits measure a building’s energy efficiency. You’ll receive a thorough assessment of your power use and energy efficiency from the audit. In the audit report, you’ll find important information about your energy consumption and this information could assist you in identifying and fixing problems with energy use to save money on electricity.
Performing an energy audit aims to find ways to reduce your energy consumption and CO2 emissions. A specialist will assess the building’s structure, systems, and performance through a series of tests and measurements. This can include looking at air leakage, insulation levels, and window properties.
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Switch off Appliances When Not in Use
There are many ways to conserve energy as a mechanic: from turning off the lights and closing the door behind you when you leave the auto shop, to switching off your desktop computer and monitor when not in use.
Your printer should also be turned off at night, or when it is not being used. Placing your printer close to an air vent will help keep it cool during the summer months.
To keep your auto shop cool, install a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set the temperature according to the time of day and year. If your shop has windows that can be opened, use them in the summer months to help regulate temperature levels.
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Switch Energy Suppliers
If you’re a mechanic who uses a lot of energy, it’s worth switching to a better energy supplier. You can save money on your bills and help the environment by being smart about which companies supply your business with electricity, gas, or both.
Changing energy suppliers is possible even if you rent. When you pay directly for your energy usage, you are entitled to switch providers as a tenant. You will still be able to switch suppliers regardless of whether your landlord has designated a ‘preferred supplier in the rental agreement. You should, however, inform your landlord if you’re planning to change energy providers.
The best way to find out who supplies your business is by comparing them online; visit this link to see how easy it is to switch suppliers and save money.
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Switch to a Smart Meter
Switching to a smart meter will bring you many benefits. The first thing to consider is that smart meters are more accurate and give you more information about your energy usage than traditional ones.
With a smart meter, you can see how much energy you use, how much of it is used over time, and how much of its particular appliances use in one day or week.
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Use LED Lightbulbs
LED (light-emitting diode) lights last longer and use less energy than traditional bulbs. Although they may cost more, consider them an investment. LED lightbulbs reduce energy costs and reap some serious savings on electricity usage!
Compared to conventional incandescent lights, LED bulbs utilize a tiny fraction of the energy. They require less energy to operate than fluorescent lights. Additionally, they have a fifty-fold longer lifespan. Most operate faultlessly for years at a time.
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Paint Booths
Using paint booths for custom painting or repairing paint damage on vehicles is a common practice. This apparatus requires air pressure in order to spray paint. Therefore, it requires energy. It is a smart idea to inspect equipment for airflow capacity, control choices, and always use energy-efficient bulbs for lighting. This will help keep things as energy efficient as possible.
Final Thoughts
Electricity is a significant expense for any business, but especially for an auto repair company. When you’re busy working, your workshop budget may also go out of control. By reviewing your energy bills, you can find various ways to reduce costs and strategies that will increase your profit margins.
Due to the fierce competition in the power supply industry, it is wise to evaluate expenses and compare rates on an online comparison site. You can potentially save hundreds, if not thousands of pounds by shopping around for the most affordable options.