​The energy crisis and reducing demand

Founder of 3-Eight Communications, Lisa Gingell, shares her views on the mounting energy crisis and the Government’s demand reduction strategy.
 
 
While there has long been a need to reduce the pressure on the National Grid, it’s only the recent energy crisis that has prompted the Government to promote demand reduction measures. Previously, the focus has been on harnessing alternative solutions and sources such as heat pumps and solar power. Now, for the first time since I began working in the energy management industry, people are being actively encouraged to find ways to lower their consumption.
 
On the 24th of July 2022, the Daily Telegraph ran a front-page article with the headline, ‘Public may have to cut energy to avoid winter blackouts’. The article stated that Government plans to avoid supply shortages in the face of a difficult winter include “appeals to the public to use less energy”. The article also highlights that some EU countries have been asked to cut their gas usage by 15% due to shortage concerns due to Russia’s reduced supply.
 
The article also reports that the already soaring energy prices are likely to reach even greater heights in the coming months. It is suggested that October’s price cap increase could push annual bills to £3,244, while a further rise in January may see them hit an average of £3,363.
 
Reducing consumption to reduce demand is a strategy that my clients and I have advocated for over the last 20 years. I have a first-hand understanding of the many simple changes that can be made to lower consumption both in commercial and residential settings and, as a result, reduce energy costs and ease pressure on the National Grid.
 
 
Reducing demand in the home
 
Several small alterations can be made to reduce energy demand in the home and therefore reduce the costs associated with running a household. For example, IoT devices can assess the energy demand of individual appliances in the home and highlight any electricals that are consuming more energy than expected. This makes it possible to carry out repairs on energy-draining appliances to improve their efficiency. Arranging regular routine services for essential appliances, such as the boiler, can also help ensure they operate as efficiently as possible.
 
Small day-to-day changes can also add up to a substantial usage reduction so consider implementing energy-saving actions such as limiting the amount of water when boiling the kettle and ensuring the washing machine is full every time it is used. Ensuring devices are not left on standby could also reduce usage by an estimated 15% while switching to low-power LED bulbs could save up to £13 per year per bulb.
 
Reviewing the programmes and settings on the dishwasher, washing machine, and boiler may also help reduce the household's energy demand. By using shorter cycles and cooler temperatures or by tweaking the thermostat by a few degrees, you may be able to knock a few pounds off your quarterly bill too.
 
 
Reducing demand in commercial settings
 
Based on the energy usage of the many businesses and brands I have worked with during my 24 years in the energy management sector, approximately 30% of consumption in commercial properties is waste consumption. From leaving lights on in unused areas or when the building is closed, to poorly maintained assets and HVAC units operating 24 hours a day, there are numerous ways that energy is used unnecessarily, and this can have a significant impact on the business’s costs.
 
For example, while working with a retail business in the UK, I uncovered that their out-of-hours energy consumption was costing the company a huge £3 million per annum – a figure that would be significantly higher at today’s costs. By simply ensuring that all assets were correctly shut down out of store opening hours, this business was able to make a substantial saving and dramatically reduce the carbon emissions associated with the company.
 
Once these housekeeping changes have been made, resulting in a potential energy saving of 30% for businesses and 20% for homes, there are some additional operational changes that can be made to further reduce demand.
 
These primarily focus on using energy-hungry appliances and assets at times of the day when renewable sources provide the supply or when demand on the Grid is lower.

• For homeowners, this may involve tweaking mealtimes or running the dishwasher and washing machine outside of peak hours.

 

• For businesses, the changes may be more significant, for example, altering the shift patterns in energy-intensive industries and restricting the use of HVAC systems where possible. Businesses should also conduct a capacity analysis to ensure that, following any demand control changes, their energy bills are optimised and ultimately costs reduced.

 
Rising energy prices, supply restrictions and environmental pressures mean that it is now essential that every one of us recognises the demand reduction opportunities available and takes action to limit consumption.
 
 
How we can work together
 
To find out more or to chat with one of our clients who are delivering energy demand reduction services and solutions to homeowners and commercial customers, please contact our director Lisa Gingell… just drop her a message on Linked In.