As well as switching your energy supplier to save money on your veterinary practice gas and electricity bills – there are a few DIY energy saving tricks you can try yourself. It’s never too late to make some small changes that will see some big returns. The Carbon Trust says most firms could, with low or no-cost changes, bring bills down by at least 10%.
One of the most expensive elements in your practice will be lighting and so when it comes to looking at ways to save money, an analysis of lighting is a good place to begin. Start with an evaluation of your front and back of house lighting and look at switching from standard bulbs to more energy efficient LED versions. Most surgeries are open six days a week which is why, by overhauling your lighting you could save between 60 – 80% in energy usage. In addition, your staff and customers should see a noticeably brighter environment. Better still, daylight and natural colour temperature lighting is also available for those important clinical areas.
Lighting can also be controlled using an App which means you can turn your practice lighting on and off remotely and so ensure that your surgery does not waste money by staff accidentally leaving lights on. Or, opt for a motion sensor that detects movement and switches lights on when a person enters a room – and off again, when they leave. Don’t just take our word for it, the Carbon Trust has a nifty tool which will help you calculate your lighting upgrade.
Heating could also be a big energy consumer particularly if you have to keep animals overnight and so have to maintain a comfortable temperature 24/7. While keeping patients warm is crucial, you could look at other areas of the practice to make savings. Look at your front of house areas where its likely doors to the outside are constantly opening to let the cold in and heat out. If you can build a double-glazed vestibule between the surgery and the outside world this could help. However, just like at home, simply turning your thermostat down a degree or two will make a big difference. Try turning it down a degree and see if staff or customers notice. You’ll be surprised at how such a little thing could make a significant difference to your bills.