Could Remote Working Help Businesses To Save Money On Energy?
3 min read
At the moment, it is indisputable that the UK is in the midst of an energy crisis. Arising from a “perfect storm of market forces,” including the aftermath of a global pandemic and a complex worldwide political climate, the struggling UK energy system has started to impact more than just our homes, but our businesses as well.
Running a business takes a lot of time, work and, yes, energy! With large offices and extensive IT networks to run, energy bills can skyrocket with ease. These are extra costs that burden a business directly, as they cannot be paid for through a consumer’s custom alone, or even through profitable contracts with clients.
But, don’t panic about rising energy costs for your business just yet. For further insight into where remote working could help your business to save money on energy, we urge you read on.
Where your business could save
Remote working could reduce the costs of your business in many ways, especially in regard to high energy bills. At the higher end of the spectrum, you could be saving up to £10,000 pounds per employee.
Consider some of the following cost savings, for example.
- Rent: If employees are working remotely, a larger commercial premises isn’t needed for your business. Therefore, you don’t have to pay as much rent!
- Utilities – Including Energy: Equally, if you have very few staff working in person, you save a massive amount on utilities. You don’t have to heat or light a vast property, and you might be spending on energy for far fewer hours during the day.
- Cleaning: Business workspaces need to be cleaned, often. Less staff present means less mess, and cleaning becomes an unnecessary expenditure. You can save energy here, too, as cleaning appliances will not have to be plugged in and used as frequently.
- Food: Remote employees cater for themselves, eradicating a business’s food expenses.
- Taxes: A company’s tax burden is based on many things, including property and payroll. Accommodating remote workers could alleviate your tax burden.
Remote working isn’t always a perfect energy-saving solution, however
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that remote working isn’t always a clear-cut energy saving solution. Sometimes, although energy consumption in the office is cut-down and commuting is reduced, home energy use and non-work travel rise instead. This makes any energy-saving benefit of remote working potentially negatable, or restricted to the commercial sector. Furthermore, certain businesses may benefit more from investment in long-term energy saving strategies, like the installation of heat pumps or underfloor heating. New technology can preserve the office environment that comes so highly prized, without requiring a complete overhaul of the way we live and work.
Nevertheless, especially in the wake of a global pandemic, remote networking has become a reality we need to accept, and it certainly does bring its own unique benefits to workers with families, disabilities or a preference for the security and comfort of home. Businesses can reap the rewards of happier, more productive employees who still participate in company life.
Flexible workspaces are the answer
A flexible workspace is the perfect in-between of a remote working environment and office culture. Catered, first-class quality, energy-efficient and with all-inclusive pricing, a flexible workspace will shoulder the energy costs for you. Here, your business can focus on what matters most: the day-to-day running of things, and meeting your client’s needs.
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