Unseen power use affects 80 % of UK small firms

Smart Energy GB said on Oct. 13 that 80% of 1,000 small UK companies in a OnePoll survey cited unseen energy use as a winter bills concern.

The commissioned poll, reported by The Sun on Oct. 13, puts energy control into sharper focus for small firms: the 80% figure compares with 54% who said gas and electricity were among the business costs they felt least able to manage.

The survey identified several common sources of out-of-hours consumption. Among respondents, 43% said desktop computers and screens had been left plugged in when not in use, 42% cited printers and photocopiers, and 37% named laptop chargers.

Other equipment also featured in the responses. Mobile phone chargers and microwaves were each cited by 33% of those polled, while 32% mentioned coffee machines and 25% named televisions.

The findings come from research commissioned by Smart Energy GB, which promotes smart-meter use. A smart meter records energy consumption digitally and can help businesses monitor usage and billing more closely.

Yvette Fielding, a former small business owner working with Smart Energy GB on the campaign, said: “From running my own business, I understand how important it is to closely monitor each and every running cost.”

The poll also found that 43% of respondents had left printers, photocopiers or computers running overnight, while 20% said fridges and freezers may have been set colder than required. Among respondents without a smart meter, 41% said they did not know how much energy they used outside working hours.

Smart Energy GB said 91% of small business owners in the poll who had a smart meter reported that it helped them find ways to cut energy costs. The published account did not give an average bill size, a cash saving per business or independent verification of reported savings.

The survey also showed that 96% of respondents had already taken steps to reduce energy use at their premises. Measures included turning lights off in unused spaces, cited by 53%, reducing or switching off heating overnight, cited by 46%, and using wall sockets instead of standby modes, cited by 42%.

Paul Watts, who runs Bookshop on the Heath in London, said: “Having a smart meter has given me a much better understanding of where our energy is being used, making it easier to manage our costs and make changes to save where we can.”