SMEs struggling to improve energy performance

Despite nearly half of UK businesses (46 per cent) actively working on their energy efficiency, less than one fifth have achieved an energy performance rating of B or higher, according to a survey of SMEs by Yü Energy.Almost one in three (30 per cent) business owners have introduced energy efficiency measures since the pandemic to cut costs.Nearly half of those asked had installed a smart meter (47 per cent) and stated they use energy efficient lighting (48 per cent) and energy efficient appliances (46 per cent).

Since 2018, 192,000 non-domestic EPC certificates have been issued to business premises. While 65 per cent have been issued a C or D, only 14 per cent are B or higher, with 21 per cent of business with very poor efficiency lagging in band E or lower.

Simon Smith, director sales and marketing at Yü Energy said: “EPCs provide a view on a building’s potential energy efficiency but they don’t factor in actual energy usage. Therefore, it is difficult for businesses to calculate how much they are likely to pay based only on a building’s EPC.

“By combining these we’re able to see the real impact of efficiency banding on a business’ energy bills and, while the efficiency of commercial premises has improved over recent years, there is still a huge opportunity for UK businesses to make savings.

“There can be a substantial saving made by moving up even one EPC band and most efficiency measures that improve your banding can be paid back within a couple of years. Many businesses can also apply for energy grants that could provide up to 50 per cent contribution to costs.”

Yü Energy has released an energy health check toolwhich allows a business tocalculate whether its energy usage could be excessive for its size and type, and its average cost based on EPC ratings.