Energy use in your business
The key to effective energy cost management in business is knowing where your energy goes. You can then concentrate your efforts on making savings on your main energy uses.
This section identifies the key uses of energy in different businesses and examples of how businesses that adopted energy plans made significant financial savings as a result.
On this page
What do businesses use energy for?
General retailers use energy mainly for:
- lighting
- space heating/cooling
- hot water.
Dairies and supermarkets use energy mainly for:
- refrigeration
- space heating/cooling
- lighting
- water heating.
Cafes and restaurants use energy mainly for:
- refrigeration
- cooking
- hot water
- lighting.
Take action
- Read the resources listed below to let other business case studies inspire you about how much you can save.
- Learn more about how you can start making savings in the next section: Managing energy costs. [1.3.2]
More information
Business case studies
- Energy efficiency success stories [EECA Business website.]
- The Natural Step sustainable business case studies [The Natural Step website.]
- Sustainable Business Network [Sustainable Business website.]
- Transport fleet savings initiatives [GreenFleet website.]
Energy savings tips
- Meridian Energy guide to savings In your business. [Meridian Energy website.]
- Energy Challenger calculator [Meridian Energy website.]
- Energy saving quick tips. [Consumers’ Institute.]
