Did you know about 60% of small businesses plan to reduce their carbon impact? This statistic reflects a significant trend wherein businesses are shifting their focus toward energy conservation and environmental awareness.
The rising energy costs are also urging SMEs to integrate innovative solutions that will lessen their energy consumption and strengthen their commitment to sustainability. This includes embracing energy-efficient tech upgrades.
Join the crusade! Here are some of the best energy-efficient tech upgrades that your small business can implement.
Top 8 Energy-Efficient Tech Upgrades for Your SME
1. Use energy management software
Energy management software solutions allow small businesses to monitor and control their energy usage. They are specifically designed to analyse data collected from various smart devices that the business uses and offer actionable insights.
With an array of interesting features, businesses can efficiently track and manage their energy consumption. These features include energy optimisation suggestions and automated reporting.
2. Get an equipment upgrade
Upgrading business equipment to more energy-efficient models is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy use. Look for the Energy Star label, which indicates that your products meet the standards of efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You can also use smart power strips, sensors, or programmable thermostats to control your equipment and appliances.
3. Look for a green web hosting provider
With energy efficiency becoming a growing concern for small businesses, opting for green hosting is an ideal way to decrease energy costs. Green web hosting is essentially a greener, more environmentally friendly, and sustainable technology in business to host websites.
Best green web hosting service providers, such as Crazy Domains, aim to offer high-quality services while ensuring that they can limit their carbon emissions to the minimum. Crazy Domain strongly believes in green or eco-friendly hosting initiatives, which consist of both carbon offsetting and improvement.
4. Leverage cloud Computing and virtualisation
Cloud computing and virtualisation technologies are interesting ways to save energy. They do this by reducing the need for physical servers and infrastructure required for the business.
Migrating to the cloud lets your business eliminate the energy consumption associated with on-premises servers, cooling systems, and other equipment.
5. Apply LED lighting and smart lighting controls
Lighting accounts for a significant portion of a business’s energy consumption in brick-and-mortar stores or offices. Opting for LED lights and smart lighting control allows you to reduce energy usage significantly without sacrificing your establishment’s lighting quality, whether for aesthetic or functional purposes.
Smart lighting controls also enable you to automate your lighting schedules and adjust brightness levels. This further helps optimise their energy usage.
6. Implement energy-efficient practices training
In any business, the workforce has a significant amount of impact on the energy use and overall lifespan of your equipment.
It’s important to train and teach your employees different ways to save energy. This includes powering down the equipment at night or setting computers or systems to hibernate when not in use.
Also, remind them to set thermostats at energy-saving temperatures when the business is not functional.
7. Launch a preventative maintenance program
A preventative maintenance program helps you ensure that your business equipment is operating as efficiently as possible.
For instance, make sure to regularly clean and service HVAC systems, replace worn-out parts, or check for leaks in plumbing fixtures, to save money on energy bills.
8. Install solar panels
Another way small businesses can lessen their environmental impact is to harness the power of the sun. Solar panels might be relatively costly, but they’ll prove to be a worthy investment in the long run. Installing solar panels not only reduces your dependence on traditional energy sources, but it also shows that you’re serious about positively impacting the environment.
Invest in Sustainability
Sustainable technology in business offers multiple benefits for small businesses and the environment. Some of these advantages are enhanced business performance, lower operating costs, and a positive brand image. Moreover, adopting energy-saving technology contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and allows businesses to contribute towards combating ongoing climate change as well.
