Kate Scheer discusses sustainable solutions for the rising price of energy.
It’s no understatement to say that energy consumption has become a primary concern for millions of individuals across the UK. Following the dramatic 54 per cent increase to energy price caps in April, it’s estimated that these prices will skyrocket again in October by a further 32 per cent, making energy more expensive than ever before.
Of course, it’s difficult to predict the exact impact this will have on dental practices. However, as these figures are based on an average household, we can safely assume that price increases for businesses are likely to be much higher, especially when you consider that equipment, lighting, computers and more are required throughout the day in order to keep everything running smoothly.
So, how can you make changes to help optimise energy consumption in your practice?
Assess your energy
The first step you should take is to examine your energy consumption in practice and look at what sort of rates you’re currently on. It may be that you have signed up for a fixed-rate contract, so this will protect your energy prices from rising in the immediate future. However, with wholesale energy prices soaring, it’s likely that when the time comes to renew these contracts, the prices will increase by a considerable amount.
If you’re not on a fixed rate deal, this could be a good opportunity to scour the market and find one that suits your practice budget and individual needs. You may also consider fitting a smart meter to help keep better track of the energy you are using and setting limits or alerts so that you can accurately gauge how hard your energy is working for you. This will help you to reduce energy consumption in the long run.
A chance to go green?
Although not a viable solution for every dental practice, renewable energy options are fast becoming more affordable. In fact, a recent news report suggests that 62 per cent of renewable energy sources are currently producing raw energy at a much cheaper rate than coal. A result of this is that these energy sources are likely to be the more reasonable option in the long run, especially if fossil fuel energy prices continue to rise.
The initial outlay that switching to renewable energy involves is daunting, but at the time of writing there is government funding available to help businesses to make this transition, which means this is definitely something to explore if you want to have better control of your energy prices in the future.
Small changes for a big impact
There are always small changes to be made that will help your practice run more energy efficiently. For example, replacing standard lightbulbs with LED alternatives can help save on electricity bills. Plus, making sure lights, computers and other power sources are turned off between uses can quickly make a noticeable difference to your energy bills and is a very simple measure to implement.
You can also look at the heating solutions in your practice – are you running the heating on days where it’s not necessary? Are any radiators blocked by furniture or curtains? As well as being a potential fire hazard, this can impact how effectively they heat rooms and waste energy as no one feels the benefit.
Go smart with technology
Another excellent way to optimise your energy consumption in practice is to invest in systems that offer sustainable operation capabilities.
For instance, the Lisa Steriliser from W&H is an excellent choice for professionals looking to enhance their infection control while being responsible with their energy consumption. A cutting-edge system designed for modern professionals, the Lisa helps to streamline workflows and conserves energy with features such as Eco Dry+, technology that automatically adjusts the drying time to the mass of the load, conserving energy with every cycle.
Energy efficiency doesn’t have to be difficult
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to predict how UK energy prices will fluctuate in the future, especially as many consider the current situation to be unsupportable. However, it’s always a good idea to assess your energy consumption, as it will help you not only save money but also protect the environment, too. Whether you decide to make a big switch to renewable energy or simply make efforts to reduce energy use in practice, investing in technology that is energy efficient is always a positive step forward.
To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com