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Why every business should manage their energy bills online: 5 benefits

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Since the outbreak of coronavirus businesses the world over have been forced to adapt and survive – this has meant different things for different companies but one change that has been universal for most businesses, is managing your business energy online. It’s an obvious way to streamline procedures in a time when a quick chat over the desk to sort out a glitch or clarify an issue (right at the minute) is no possible.

Have a look at these five benefits of managing your business energy online:

1. You will have Global Access to your bills – whether you’ve vacated the city for time in the countryside or you’re on a business trip (or perhaps even on holiday), with internet access and a device, you’ll be able to keep tabs on your account and make payments if necessary.

2. With an online account there will no longer be a need for paper bills, which eliminates paper waste and is a great way for your company to Go Green without much effort. All the information you will need to run your account – see your bills, make payments, make changes – will be available online.

3. With many businesses running at reduced capacity, there is far less time to deal with endless call-waiting if you need information about your energy account – online chats might be a quicker option and you should be able to find a lot of the information you may need by accessing your account online. This is a massive Time Saving for you as a business owner or manager.

4. Submitting metre readings online could be the best way to Avoid Overpaying while your business premises are empty – this is very easy to do online, and especially useful when energy providers have stopped sending someone to read your metre as a result of lockdown restrictions and personnel shortages.

5. Managing your energy online gives you the option to check your balance at any time so there are no surprises, which helps you Stay In Control of your finances. You will be able to search specific payments, view consumption amounts, check balances, access payment history and oversee any irregular charges.

For more benefits, check out Britishgas.co.uk.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302
8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Five minor boiler problems that you could solve yourself

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With businesses and home owners restricted by the rules of social distancing, isolation and lockdown, it might not be as easy to get a heating engineer to tend to your boiler emergency at the minute. The good news is that whilst it is always advisable to have a professional take care of most boiler repairs, not all problems need an engineer’s expertise. You might be able to solve the problem yourself.

The pros at British Gas highlight five common boiler problems that could be resolved by you at home or work. Have a look:

  1. Low pressure

Symptoms

  • Your boiler switches itself off
  • Your central heating makes banging sounds
  • Your upstairs radiators, or those furthest from the boiler, stop heating.

What to do?

Fixing this usually takes little more than a tweak of the filling loop on your boiler. So if the pressure gauge on your boiler control panel reads less than 1 bar, carefully use your valve to increase it to between 1 and 1.5.

Just bear in mind that you might have to reset your boiler once you’ve re-pressurised the system, so check your manufacturer’s guide for details on how to do this.

  1. Problem with settings

Symptoms

  • Your boiler doesn’t come on when it should, or comes on erratically
  • The boiler doesn’t fire up
  • You have an error displaying (or a blank panel) on your thermostat.

What to do?

Your timer settings may have changed if you’ve had a power cut, or someone’s accidentally knocked the panel. So double check and adjust them if you need to, using your boiler manual if you’re unsure. Check that the central heating dial on the boiler control panel is turned up too.

Next, check the thermostat settings. If the temperature is set below 21℃ your boiler might not fire up, so increase the temperature to see if this helps. If there’s nothing displayed on the thermostat panel you might need to replace the batteries.

  1. Pilot light gone out

Symptoms

  • There’s no visible pilot light on your boiler
  • Your boiler won’t fire up.

What to do?

A pilot light can blow out for a number of reasons, but you should be able to reignite it by following the instructions on your boiler.

  1. Boiler locks out and needs resetting

Symptoms

  • The lock-out (red) light on your boiler keeps coming on
  • Your boiler control panel displays an error code
  • The boiler won’t fire up

What to do?

Sometimes a simple reset is all that’s needed. You should find your boiler reset button somewhere on the front control panel. If you can’t locate it, take a look at your boiler manual then follow the instructions on how to reset the system. If this doesn’t work you could try switching the boiler off and then on again.

  1. Frozen condensate pipe

Symptoms

  • The boiler makes gurgling sounds when you try to use it
  • Your boiler won’t fire up
  • The temperature outside has been particularly cold

What to do?

Try thawing it yourself by applying hot (but not boiling) water and a warm compress – like a hot water bottle – directly to the pipe.

If these simple solutions don’t work it could mean that you have a more serious problem with your boiler. Also note that it’s only safe to perform the most minor boiler repairs yourself. If you’re in doubt about any of the above do not hesitate to call your trusted technician, who will be able to advise you on the best course of action, perhaps even as your make the repair yourself.

For further details on any of the aforementioned repairs, visit Britishgas.co.uk which has videos and more detailed explanations on how to conduct these minor repairs.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

How does your business consume and spend money on energy?

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Do you feel like you’re overspending on energy? Check out the latest stats to see where your company sits in comparison to the average:

The cost of running your office is dependent on many factors but what is the average cost for a micro, small and medium office? Check out the following stats:

Business size:

Micro 5,000-15,000 kWh
Small 15,000-30,000 kWh
Medium 30,000-50,000 kWh

** A kilowatt-hour (or kWh) is the unit of energy utility companies use to measure how much gas and electricity you’re using.

The factors (mentioned above) that contribute to how much energy your company uses…here’s a breakdown of appliance usage based on a standard variable business tariff (c. 18p pkWH):

Air con 29.15%
Light fittings 26.12%
Computers 10.91%
Vending Machine 6.05%
Water Cooler 6.05%
Kettles 4.66%
Fridge 3.33%
Printers 3.02%
Hand dryers 2.59%
Microwaves 1.73%
TV screens 1.71%
Laptops 1.27%
Dishwasher 1.04%
Toasters 1.04%
Coffee machine 0.86%
Desk fans 0.48%

Electricity is a necessity for running an office, but what might surprise you is which appliances are costing you the most. The total cost of running this model office was £10,423 in energy bills alone.

Your business might be a lot smaller but the above model provides an idea of what appliances are costing you the most – and where you might be able to cut down on use.

Another really interesting statistic is that 46 per cent of business energy is consumed outside of 8am-6pm – as found by British Gas. This highlights a need for improved energy efficiency such as ensuring computers, lights, kitchen appliances are turned off. And to ensure that you are getting the best deal possible, compare energy providers regularly to see how much money you could save!

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Source: Finder

Why your business could benefit from a smart meter

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The benefits of smart meters have been a source of scepticism, with some businesses not at all keen on having one installed. Some of the rumours going around are that: smart meters cause cancer, that your smart meter spies on you and that your data isn’t safe, and that the device doesn’t actually save you money.

So, is any of this true?

A blog published by British Gas busts all the aforementioned myths’ – in a nutshell, smart meters have to pass safety tests, information can’t be passed to anyone without your permission and as for money saving: smart meters might not directly save your business money but the data supplied by the device will help you to better understand your company’s energy use, which can result in money saving if you alter your energy strategy to be the most cost efficient possible.

As for the practicalities…

Smart meters are free. It takes about 60-90 minutes to install a smart meter and you’ll have to switch your electricity off while the engineer installs the meter. You won’t have to manually send your meter readings any more, which saves time and effort.

One of the reasons that many businesses have chosen to install a smart meter is that bills are more accurate as your company will only be charged for the energy it has actually used.

The best advice if you’re thinking about a smart meter is to do your research and when in doubt, as a professional!

(And in case you’re not in the loop: a smart meter is a gas or electricity device that works by sending meter readings to us via a SIM card in the meter, just like a mobile phone. With your smart readings your bills will be more accurate as you’ll only be charged for the energy you’ve used.)

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

What is Climate Change Levy and how will due increase affect your business?

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In response to global warming, the UK government (along with many other countries in Europe) prescribed various environmental taxes and relief schemes in an effort to encourage businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is one of these measures.

The CCL is an environmental tax charged on the energy used by businesses, and applies to the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors as well as public services. The tax is charged on ‘taxable commodities’ for heating, lighting and power purposes.

Virtually every business in the UK has to pay the CCL but there are a few exceptions: very small businesses, charitable businesses engaged in non-commercial activities, businesses generating electricity from a renewable source and using it exclusively on-site, and businesses investing in Combined Heat and Power (CHP).

If you’ve been in business since 2001 (when the CCL was introduced), likely you’re already aware of all of the above but what you may not know is that rates are set to increase more than ever before! The reason for the increase is to limit the effects of climate change and pollution, which really are negatively impacting our planet.

Typically, the CCL has risen by 3 per cent each year but April 2019 will see a drastic rise in rates, with a 45 per cent CCL increase on electricity and 67 percent increase on gas and other fuel.

This could affect your business’s bottom line – especially if you’re a small to medium-size enterprise! But there are a couple of things that you can do to mitigate the impact of the CCL increase, namely: invest in small scale energy generation or simply reduce energy consumption! Non-intensive, large energy users such as hospitals, supermarkets, and office blocks may see and overall reduction if savings from the abolition of the Carbon Reduction Comittment (as of April 2019) offsets the rise in CCL rates. Businesses (of all sizes) may also need to re-strategise their finances with the inclusion of a bigger levy budget to cover the spike in rates.

For further details on the CCL increase, visit Touchstoneservices.co.uk or Britishgas.co.uk.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

5 reasons why summer is the best time for businesses to replace a boiler

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When we’re in the throes of an epic British summer, boiler maintenance is not likely to make the top of any company’s priority list. That said, there are many reasons why NOW is, in fact, the best time to replace a boiler:

Engineers are busy in winter: boilers break, pipes freeze and engineers are helter-skelter all over the place replacing boilers and making repairs. In all likelihood, you won’t get an appointment that’s convenient and a business premises without heat is sure to result in lowered productivity. In summer, you’ll be able to pick an appointment that suits you and you’ll have time to shop around for quotes from different engineers.

You’ll be warm while your boiler is being fixed: replacing a boiler can take between 1-3 days (sometimes longer), which means that you might find your business without heat for some time. By having the work done in the summer months, you should be able to keep your employees warm and not face as much disruption to the daily routine of work life.

You have time to research and select the most suitable boiler: if your boiler breaks down mid-winter, you’ll have to make quick decisions about a new boiler. Quick decisions aren’t always the best decisions. Summer affords you the time to shop around for the perfect boiler for your business, without the pressure of an emergency decision.

You’ll save money: by upgrading your boiler before winter, you’ll be all set to save money from the start of the chilly season. Many modern boilers will save you money through being far more efficient, particularly the new style of condensing boilers – it’s worth ditching a boiler on its last legs for something more economical, as soon as possible.

You’ll be ready for winter: a new boiler means that you will roll into winter without worrying that your business might be put in jeopardy by a boiler breakdown. You’ll be free to focus your attention on your work as well as any other unforeseen issues that might crop up. Peace of mind is an excellent business strategy!

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Sources: British Gas, BoilerGuide

How employees can help businesses save on energy

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If you’re a small business owner, you’ll know that energy saving only works if everyone pitches in to do their bit. It’s your job to motivate and incentivise, and you’ll find that people are usually more than willing to put the effort into saving the environment and keeping costs down at work. Here are some simple ideas of things everyone can do to keep energy bills at a minimum – adapted from British Gas’s very handy business blog:

  • Close doors and windows – a simple but effective way to prevent HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) waste.  The longer a door/window is left open, the more of the building HVAC’s hard work is undone.
  • Heat lunch together – rather than one-by-one, heat meals at the same time if they’re small enough to fit into the microwave together. Also share kettles of boiling water if multiple employees are heating instant meals or breakfasts.
  • Solar phone charging stations – set up a line of solar-powered charging stations on windowsills that get drenched in morning or afternoon sunlight and encourage the team to use them.
  • Dress according to temperature – pay attention to weather forecasts so as to wear weather-appropriate clothing (as long as it conforms to business code) in order to avoid the need for power-hungry fans or space heaters.
  • Lights-off checks – get employees to participate in energy saving initiatives by not only reminding them to turn lights off at their own desks/offices but to also make checks as they walk through/out of the building, turning lights off along the way.
  • Encourage inventions – it’s possible that employees will be able to not just find inefficiencies but to invent new and more efficient ways to do things.
  • Shut down computers –computers and all their accessories can consume energy; simply turning computers off and switching off monitors can make all the difference.
  • Use Laptops – consider replacing some desktops with company laptops, which have their own batteries and are surprisingly more efficient with power.
  • LED bulbs – LED bulbs in desk lamps, is a small but effective way to save energy.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Why self-sustaining gyms are on the rise in the workplace

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As a business owner, have you ever thought about a self-sustaining gym? As in…you and your employees expend energy and save the business energy with simultaneous effect?

Britishgas.co.uk recently wrote about a health club in Bristol – The Cadbury
Club – that has become one of the first gyms in the world to the ARTIS Technogym machines.

ARTIS uses unique technology that reduces energy use, recycling and renewing energy. The energy expended by people using the equipment is rerouted into the network and renewed to feed the gym – hence the term ‘self-sustaining’ gym.

So, why a gym at work when there’s one around just about every corner? Well – just becausethere are gyms, it doesn’t mean people will use them. A healthy lifestyle may improve workforce productivity and by hosting a gym at work, the ‘convenience factor’ could encourage employees to get fit, which in turn should increase work ethic – exercise produces endorphins aiding employees with more self-confidence and energy. As long as it’s fun and
voluntary.

The idea behind self-powering gym workstations is that you can use them easily to include a ‘little and often’ exercise routine into your normal working day. And if they don’t cost the business money to run…why not?

If self-sustaining gyms take off in the office environment, they could reroute workforce energy to feed the business, not just the gym! Certainly something to think about.

Contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc if you have any energy queries relating to your home or business, feel.

Source: Britishgas.co.uk – “Worlplace workouts: Self-powering gym workstations”

Five top tips for choosing new office space

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Choosing a new office space for your business is exciting but also stressful. There’s a lot of pressure to choose the right space and the move itself can be taxing. Britishgas.co.uk has some great advice on how to choose the best office space for your business:

The first is LOCATION – where will make your business a success? A few questions you could ask yourself include:

  • Is it the right location for my key employees?
  • Is the location convenient for clients?
  • What is the parking situation?
  • Are there amenities nearby?
  • Are there good transport links?

Next on the list is TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES & SUPPORT. Most businesses, whether small or large, cannot function without technology; speedy computers, reliable internet and all the support needed to make business happen. Choose an office that is conducive to the IT needs of your company.

Also consider where your COMPETITORS work – if, for example, you might share a building with your enemies, and whether this could pose a problem.

WORKSPACE is also essential. Is there enough space to accommodate the potential growth of your business? Does the layout work and how much freedom do you have to decorate the office as you would like? Your new office needs to fit the personality of your business and the needs of your employees.

Lastly, the COST. Probably the most annoying aspect of the search for a new office but it’s important to be realistic; what can your business afford? There’s no point putting your business in jeopardy before you’ve even moved!

Think realistically but also remember to accommodate the dreams you have for your business, in your new office space!

Source: Britishgas.co.uk – “Choosing the right office space for your business”

What if Wimbledon could power your computer?

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Federer did it again. Of course he did; the man’s a machine! With eight Wimbledon championships under his belt Roger Federer has broken the record for most championship wins.

It’d be interesting to know exactly how much energy the tennis star has had to produce over the years as he’s wacked his way into the annals of sporting fame. In fact, Britishgas.co.uk has investigated this very idea. OK, not relating to Federer per se; more about the amount of energy generated at Wimbledon from crowds cheering in the stands to tennis pros burning mega calories as they play.

Apparently, men’s finalists burn an average of 2100 calories per championship match; an energy output of over 2.50kWh! A woman’s final produces more than 150kWh. How does this translate practically (hypothetically)?

Well – on average, your laptop computer uses between 50W – 100W when in use, which means that the power of seven men’s finals would generate enough energy to power your laptop for a year! Five men’s finals could keep an LED lightbulb (typically lasting between 20,000 to 50,000 hours) shining for more than two years!

One woman’s final could keep your iPad charged for a year.

Impressed? Just wait. The London marathon – you know it, right? Before the race (which took place on April 23), a total of 253,930 people were expected to participate. With this statistic in mind; if a single participant competing in the marathon uses an equivalent 3.045 kWh of energy, then the total amount of energy consumed by the entire marathon is a mammoth 752.3 mWh.

Imagine your business could employ its own personal Roger Federer or better yet; a team of pro runners, to create enough energy to power the workstations on your premises? Sustainable and cost-effective, surely? Nice to dream. But who knows – we live in a world where anything and everything is possible!

If you have any energy queries relating to your home or business, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Sources: Britishgas.co.uk – “Wimbledon: How much energy can tennis pros generate?” and “The power produced by runners competing in the London Marathon”