Retail Energy Management Strategies for a Brighter Bottom Line

June 27, 2024

Running a retail business in South Africa is hard work. The last thing you need is to worry about high energy bills eating into your profits. But what if you could cut those costs and put that money back into your business?

With Energy Management Solutions, you can. Our remote monitoring solutions give you the tools you need to take control of your energy and water usage – no technical expertise required.

But before you get started, here are a few simple strategies to help save money.

Decode Your Energy Bill

Your energy bill is more than just a payment reminder – it’s a roadmap to savings. Here’s how to read between the lines:

Time-Of-Use Rates: Do you know if your energy provider charges more during peak hours? Your bill can tell you, allowing you to schedule energy-intensive tasks (like running the dishwasher or charging equipment) during off-peak times to save money.
Demand Charges: Some retailers are charged not only for the amount of energy they use but also for their peak demand (the highest amount of energy used at one time). Your bill can show you your peak demand, allowing you to strategise ways to spread out your energy usage and avoid these extra charges.
Historical Comparison: Compare your current bill to previous months. Have your costs been steadily increasing? If so, it might be time to investigate potential energy leaks or inefficiencies.

Simple Strategies for Significant Savings

You don’t need a major overhaul to make a difference. Small changes can add up to big savings:

Maintain Your Equipment: Regularly clean and service your HVAC systems, refrigerators and other equipment to ensure they’re running efficiently.
Upgrade to LED Lighting: LED lights use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs.

And don’t forget the human touch! Your staff can be your greatest energy-saving asset. Train them to:

Turn off lights and equipment when not in use.
Set thermostats to energy-saving temperatures.
Close refrigerator doors promptly.
Report any leaks or malfunctions.

Switch To Smart Monitoring

Tired of sky-high energy bills with no explanation? Take control with Energy Management Solutions’s remote monitoring for retail. Track your electricity and water usage in real-time, right from your phone or computer. Our easy-to-use system helps you identify energy hogs, pinpoint leaks, and stop overpaying on your bills.