Discover whether you could be saving on what you pay for your service station gas and electricity. See the best deals from UK suppliers with Business Energy Comparison.
The welcoming light of a service station can offer relief to drivers that are running low on fuel or need a rest. But how many of these drivers will stop to consider what it takes to power the bright signs or service station itself?
The honest reality is that not many considerations will be made as to how they are powered by anyone except the managers. This is because the cost of running a service station will significantly impact profits and the cost of products.
As rising energy costs are impacting domestic and business gas and electricity users, it is important that we all look at ways to tackle this.
Here at Business Energy Comparison, we are in a position to help reduce energy costs for small and medium businesses. We make it easier for our customers to find the most competitive rates and switch energy suppliers.
Keep reading for more information on how to find cheaper energy solutions, as well as tips on how to reduce energy consumption.
Service station customers will typically consider the price of fuel like petrol and diesel. Business gas and electricity prices won’t be a consideration for many.
However, reducing the cost of utilities will lower running costs and can lead to better prices for the products and services on offer.
Understanding how energy is used in a service station can help to identify ways to enjoy greater efficiency. Service station energy usage can be broken down into the following categories:
Lighting in a service station can be a huge drain on resources. This is because internal and external lighting is required.
Lighting inside areas including toilets, and dining areas are as essential as it would be for supermarkets or restaurants.
External lighting is also very important. Good lighting on the forecourt is required for safety reasons. It allows drivers to see pedestrians and other vehicles.
It also lets people see other obstacles or potential dangers like spills at the pump. Diesel is slow to evaporate and a spill can cause the area to become slippery. Being able to avoid a diesel spill will significantly reduce the risk of an accident.
When discussing how well a surface is illuminated, the term “Lux” is used. The lux levels required for petrol stations should be around 400 lux at ground level.
150 lux is typically suitable for the gas pump and crossing areas. While 10 lux is sufficient for the entrance and exit.
The lighting of signage is used to draw attention to the service station and can be seen from far enough away for drivers to safely pull in.
Whether it is just a shop or a full-service station with dining facilities and an entertainment area, it will have to be heated during cold weather. Air conditioning during warmer months also improves comfort for customers.
This can be an important way to keep customers on the premises and spend money. If it is too hot or cold, they will likely move on after filling up.
The majority of service stations will have a shop with a chilled area for drinks and food. Some may have a decent-sized market where customers can stock up on essentials.
This is particularly useful for rural areas that might not have access to supermarkets and shops later at night.
Pricing can be relatively high in this kind of store. This is why it is important for a service station to explore all options to reduce costs. Getting an energy supply for a lower rate can help to keep the pricing of products lower.
Food services will make a significant difference in the energy consumption of a service station. This is because running a kitchen will require significant amounts of gas and electricity.
Some services will have dedicated entertainment areas. This will typically be made up of arcade-type video games or slot machines.
Entertainment areas are a great opportunity for kids to play after being coupled up in cars. They can also allow drivers to unwind and relax. However, these areas require a lot of electricity.
The toilets in a service station are essential and many drivers will stop just to use the toilet. Toilets need to be well-lit and kept at an optimal temperature.
This will also be an opportunity for services to show what they have on offer and try to entice customers to spend money on their visit.
Many changes are being made in the UK to promote the use of electric vehicles over fossil fuel-powered cars.
Catering to their needs can be beneficial. Installing electric vehicle charging points on or near the forecourt will entice a different kind of customer.
Another benefit of this is the person charging their vehicle will have time to kill. This increases the chance of them visiting the shop or onsite restaurant.
The main purpose of service stations is to provide fuel to motorists. Additional services allow them to make more money from a relatively captive audience.
However, many customers are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. This may seem counterproductive for an industry based on motoring, but shopping habits are changing.
Being able to show customers that the services on offer are as green as they can be beneficial.
The following ideas can help lower the carbon emissions of a service station. This will appeal to a more environmentally friendly market.
Exploring green energy suppliers is one way to reduce the carbon footprint of a service station.
Green energy suppliers use renewable energy sources to minimise their carbon emissions. This results in more environmentally friendly power supplies for the consumer.
Installing equipment that can harness renewable energy is a great way to reduce energy consumption and costs.
Solar panels and air source heat pumps can be a great way to lower energy needs and ensure more environmentally friendly energy is being used.
Other great ways to reduce the energy consumption of service stations and improve efficiency are covered in the next section.
Reducing the use of business electricity and gas in service stations is a great way to reduce energy bills.
Quite often, this is easier said than done. Especially if your business has a relatively high energy demand.
The following ideas will help to reduce electricity and gas use. Combine this with more competitive business energy prices and you will be able to make significant savings.
We already mentioned the importance of lighting in service stations. But that doesn’t mean you should pay more than you need to.
Replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient LED alternatives is an excellent way to reduce energy usage. This will also help you to lower bills.
LED lighting will last significantly longer than incandescent lighting. It will also use significantly less energy. In some cases, LED lighting can save between 75% and 90% of the energy required for traditional lighting.
Using sensors for certain areas of a service station is also recommended. Motion sensors in toilets are a great way to ensure lights aren’t left on when there is nobody there.
This can also be used in other areas such as store rooms that might not have the same footfall as public areas.
Temperature control in service stations can be challenging because of the number of people coming and going.
Larger businesses will benefit from a vestibule system that ensures cold air from outside does not lead directly into the main area. Having two sets of doors can make a big difference in maintaining an optimal temperature.
Lowering the average temperature of a thermostat by a small amount can also help to reduce how much you would pay for your heating.
Installing doors on chillers can make a big difference and minimises energy waste.
You can reduce the use of energy by as much as 40% by making this relatively small change.
Regularly checking the seals on doors will also ensure they are as efficient as possible.
Large service stations with restaurant services and entertainment areas can limit their operation.
24-hour service stations can close down certain sections during quiet times. This can help them reduce energy consumption significantly.
Reducing energy consumption is a great way to lower energy bills. However, there is only so much you can do before it starts to affect services.
Another way to ensure you aren’t paying more than necessary is by finding the best energy rates on the market.
Taking the time to find the best UK energy suppliers and upload the required information to get a quote can seem daunting. Thankfully, Business Energy Comparison can help you find the most competitive rates without the hassle.
We offer an excellent service that helps small, medium, and large businesses save money on energy. You can enjoy quotes in minutes from some of the top UK energy suppliers, including:
All we need from you is your business address. Our expert team of energy brokers and consultants will then use industry-held data to gather the relevant information. We can then provide you with a list of quotes.
If you decide to switch suppliers, our team are on hand to offer support every step of the way. We even take over the management of your account switch to ensure you enjoy an interruption-free energy supply.
Like all businesses, service stations have an energy requirement. This requirement will differ depending on the size and services offered by the service station. The opening hours will also have a significant part to play with many offering 24-hour fuel.
The energy requirements of a service station are relatively high. Because of this, it is essential to explore options that improve efficiency.
It is also essential that the service station has the best energy supplier for their needs. Not all businesses have the time to scour through the UK energy market to find the best rates, this is why Business Energy Comparison can help.
By using our service, we can help large, small, and medium businesses save money on their energy. In fact, we can help to reduce energy bills by as much as 45%.
As well as helping reduce the price of gas and electricity, we can also help reduce utility bills. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can start saving you money.
A small service station with limited services will typically use from 15,000 kWh to 25,000 kWh of electricity every year. They will also use 15,000 kWh to 30,000 kWh gas annually.
Service stations that offer more services and have longer hours will inevitably use more energy.
The average annual electricity use for medium to large businesses will typically fall between 25,000 kWh and 50,000 kWh. Annual gas use is usually between 30,000 kWh and 65,000 kwH.
The amount of energy a service station will use depends on its size and amenities.
Taking the time to ensure it is as efficient as possible could help you make significant savings.
Exploring cheaper utility providers with Business Energy Comparison will help you save money on your energy bills.
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