Welcome to our Weekly Newsletter 30th September

As we move into the autumn months, many businesses are starting to look ahead to increased heating requirements, changing operating patterns and the potential impact this can have on energy costs.

For businesses with energy contracts coming up for renewal, this is also a useful time to review current arrangements and make sure your energy strategy is aligned with the months ahead.

Preparing Your Business for Winter Energy Costs

As temperatures begin to fall, energy consumption can naturally increase.

Heating systems may run for longer, lighting hours can increase and businesses may find themselves using more energy across the working day.

While some of this increase is unavoidable, taking time to understand how your business uses energy during the winter months can help you identify areas where unnecessary consumption may be occurring.

Review Your Heating Strategy

Heating can represent a significant part of a business's energy consumption, particularly during colder periods.

It can be worthwhile reviewing how your heating systems are currently operated.

Consider:

• Are heating systems running before staff arrive or after the building closes?

• Are thermostats set appropriately for the premises?

• Are different areas being heated when they are not in use?

• Are doors and windows being left open while heating is operating?

• Are heating controls and timers working as intended?

Small changes to operating procedures can help reduce unnecessary energy use without requiring major investment.

Understand Your Winter Consumption

Looking back at previous energy usage can provide useful insight into what to expect during the colder months.

If you have historical consumption data available, compare your winter usage with other periods of the year.

Look for patterns such as:

• Higher consumption during colder months

• Changes in usage linked to operating hours

• Increased electricity demand during darker months

• Changes in gas consumption when heating demand increases

• Unusual increases that may warrant further investigation

Understanding your normal consumption profile can make it easier to spot unexpected changes.

Don't Forget About Electricity

Winter energy planning isn't just about heating.

Shorter daylight hours can mean lighting systems are operating for longer, while businesses may also see changes in equipment usage and operating schedules.

For some organisations, these factors can have a noticeable effect on electricity consumption.

Reviewing lighting controls, equipment schedules and building opening procedures can therefore be just as important as looking at heating.

Is Your Current Energy Contract Still Right?

Winter is also a useful reminder to review your current energy contract.

If your renewal date is approaching, consider whether your existing arrangement still reflects the way your business operates today.

Ask yourself:

• Has your energy consumption changed?

• Have your operating hours changed?

• Has your business expanded or reduced its premises?

• Are your current contract terms still suitable?

• How much price certainty does your business require?

• When does your current contract end?

The right procurement approach will depend on your individual circumstances, consumption profile and approach to managing market risk.

Plan Ahead Rather Than React

Waiting until a contract is close to expiry can leave businesses with less time to review their options.

Planning ahead gives you an opportunity to understand your current position, review your consumption data and consider the different approaches available before a renewal deadline arrives.

It also means you can monitor market conditions without necessarily having to make an immediate decision.

Make Your Energy Data Work for You

Your own consumption data can be one of the most useful resources when reviewing your energy position.

Rather than focusing solely on headline market prices, consider how much energy your business actually uses and when that consumption takes place.

A clearer understanding of your energy profile can help provide context when discussing future contracts and evaluating potential changes to your energy strategy.

A Winter Energy Checklist

Before the colder months are fully underway, it may be worth checking:

• Heating controls and timers

• Lighting schedules

• Equipment operating hours

• Building opening and closing procedures

• Historical winter consumption

• Current contract end dates

• Current unit rates and other charges

• Available consumption data

• Upcoming business or operational changes

A short review now could highlight areas worth addressing before winter demand increases.