When launching a new start-up business, it’s likely that any thoughts about making your business eco-friendly will be at the back of your mind. You’ll be focusing on thousands of other aspects, from creating a viable business plan to marketing your company and attempting to turn a profit and grow as soon as possible. Yet it’s important to consider implementing an energy-efficient plan into your start-up, as it will have many benefits that can directly and indirectly help you achieve your short and long-term goals.
Reduce Overhead Costs
While having a positive impact on the environment should be a big concern for any business, and they should all be doing their upmost to make this happen, in reality the number one reason for most start-ups taking any action will be to reduce costs. Working on a low budget and constantly trying to improve cash flow will be more pressing issues than working out the carbon footprint left behind by installing a new printer.
However, becoming more energy-efficient will reduce your overhead costs and positively impact your budget and cash flow. Making your energy usage much more economical should greatly reduce your monthly electricity bills, whether you have a home office or are renting space. There are business electricity deals that can cut the costs in the first place and some offer a free energy check to help lower them even further. The money saved can be used to help your start-up grow in other ways.
Improve Your Reputation
Even as a small start-up, you have some element of corporate social responsibility to cut down your environmental impact as much as possible. Plus, making a clear effort to be an energy-efficient business from the beginning can position your start-up in a positive light from the launch.
Depending on the industry you are based in, mentioning this can showcase your start-up as one of the leaders and help it stand out. This can help attract potential clients, customers and employees if you create and maintain a reputation for having something of an eco-conscience. To do so, you’ll need to actually take steps towards becoming energy-efficient.
Tips for an Energy-Efficient Start-up
As a start-up, you probably won’t be consuming energy at the same rate as many large companies, so it’s easiest to start off with some small steps towards energy efficiency in your workplace. First you should conduct an energy audit to see where you’re losing out and what areas to focus on. Simple energy-efficient actions can include:
- Maximising natural light by opening blinds and turning off electrical ones
- Installing or switching to LED lights
- Covering up cracks and draughts in windows or doors to keep the heat in
- Use one printer and hook all employees up to the same one, using it only when necessary
- Clean your computers, if a fan sounds loud it will be working harder and may just need a good dust
- Encourage reusable cups for tea, coffee and other drinks
- Use recycled paper, stationery, cups and anything else where possible
Energy efficiency is incredibly important for start-ups to help reduce their overall costs, improve their reputation and have a positive impact on the environment.
