Business energy consumption
Discover how much your business can save on energy costs
Just enter your business postcode…
Discover how much your business can save on energy costs
Just enter your business postcode…
Start saving now
Understanding and managing business energy consumption is crucial for controlling costs and operating a sustainable, successful business.
We provide essential insights into business energy consumption tailored for British businesses. Here’s what we cover:
The energy consumption of each business varies, depending on factors such as business size, the nature of its activities, and the efficiency of its facilities and equipment (see the full list below for more details). (see our full list below).
The figures below show the average business energy consumption for different company sizes, based on the categorisation used in UK government statistics.
Size of business | Annual electricity consumption (kWh) | Annual gas consumption (kWh) |
---|---|---|
Very Small | 0 - 20,000 | 0 - 278,000 |
Small | 20,000 - 500,000 | 278,000 - 1,000,000 |
Small/Medium | 500,000 - 2,000,000 | 1,000,000 - 4,000,000 |
Medium | 2,000,000 to 20,000,000 | 4,000,000 - 28,000,000 |
Large | 20,000,000 + | 28,000,000 + |
Average UK home | 2,900 | 12,000 |
Source: Gov.uk – Gas and electricity prices in the non-domestic sector.
💡 As a useful comparison, we’ve included the energy consumption of an average UK household.
A business’s energy consumption ultimately comes down to the devices and equipment that use electricity and gas.
Our experts present five general factors that determine business energy consumption:
💡Business energy efficiency can be improved by implementing the findings of a business energy audit review.
In Britain, commercial properties are fitted with energy meters at each business electricity connection and business gas connection.
These meters measure the amount of electricity and gas passing through them and are the best way to calculate your business energy consumption. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
💡 Review our visual guide to recording a meter reading for more information.
In business utilities, gas and electricity consumption is measured in kWh, a unit of energy.
One kWh of electricity is enough to run a laptop for approximately 20 hours, and a single kWh of gas can heat a small room for about an hour on a winter’s day.
The following devices measure business energy consumption at British commercial properties.
Smart meters for businesses automatically record and transmit readings of business energy consumption. Most business energy suppliers offer business energy monitoring software for free, providing analysis of business energy consumption using smart meter data.
Commercial properties with a high demand for electricity are fitted with half-hourly electricity meters that automatically record electricity consumption every 30 minutes. Large business energy suppliers provide analysis of this consumption data through online portals.
All types of business electricity meters or business gas meters can measure business energy consumption using manual meter readings. Refer to our section on calculating business energy consumption above.
The energy consumption of your business is the sum of the energy used by all devices connected to your mains.
Our business energy experts have compiled a list of devices typically found in the workplace that consume electricity and gas, using their product specifications to calculate their daily energy consumption.
Daily electricity consumption of lighting used in a ten-person office.
Energy consumption to heat a ten-person office on a cold winter day.
Electricity used to keep a ten-person office cool during a hot day.
Daily electricity usage of personal IT equipment used by office staff.
Daily electrical consumption needed to make tea and coffee.
Daily electricity consumption in the kitchen of a small office.