Can You Actually Cut Your Commercial Energy Bills In Half?
Well, here we are — Week 10 — and I’ve had some lovely messages from my readership. Many thanks indeed!
As we head into April and cost pressures continue to rise, I want to ask a simple question:
Can you still cut your commercial energy bills in half?
From what I see day in and day out, the answer is yes. In fact, for many organisations, the potential savings could be even greater. But let’s start with 50% — it’s a solid and realistic target.
Today, I want to walk you through a few simple steps you can take yourself to begin saving money.
Long term, it helps to have a partner who understands how to build a full strategy and support you throughout. Follow the points below and you’ll already be on the right track — and with expert help, those efforts can be enhanced and multiplied.
Why This Matters
Most leaders and owners know energy bills are a major overhead — but few realise that cutting those bills in half over the next five years is entirely achievable. This isn’t just about chasing cheaper rates. It’s about building a comprehensive energy strategy that delivers sustainable, long-term results.
If you’ve ever felt like you were spinning your wheels trying to reduce costs, you’re not alone. The energy industry has a bad reputation — often focused on short-term wins and quick fixes that ignore deeper problems.
At Vitalis, I focus on education, understanding, and long-term value. It’s about reducing energy use, driving down costs, and making your organisation more resilient.
With over 20 years in the retail sector, I understand how critical energy costs are. Margins are tight — and poor decisions have real consequences. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others avoid those pitfalls.
“I Already Have a Broker” — Why That’s Not Enough
This is something I hear a lot: “I already have a broker.” And fair enough — most organisations do. But it’s important to understand what a broker actually does.
A traditional energy broker’s main role is to secure energy contracts — often focused on finding a cheaper rate or switching suppliers at renewal. While that’s important, it’s only a small part of the picture.
The kind of expert I’m talking about goes far beyond that.
They look at your entire energy and utility usage profile — not just your tariff. They assess when and how you use energy, the efficiency of your systems, your carbon impact, and how well your organisation is set up for long-term resilience. They build a tailored roadmap with strategic actions, detailed analysis, and clear KPIs — helping you measure progress and unlock meaningful savings year after year. This is all about offering high challenge with high support.
And just to be clear — I’m describing what we do at Vitalis. That’s because, truthfully, I haven’t come across a consultant in the industry who delivers all of the above. That’s not arrogance — it’s the very reason I started this business in the first place to help others having been on the receiving end of high utility costs and poor service.
For me, aftercare and customer service are everything. You can find “cheap” almost anywhere — but real value over the long term is a completely different thing.
A Structured Approach to Cutting Energy Bills in Half
Planning – Laying the Foundation
Before jumping into procurement, you need a solid plan.
Ask yourself:
How much energy do you currently use?
What are your growth plans over the next 12 months… and five years?
Do you know how much energy you'll need to support that growth?
Good planning means aligning energy with wider organisational goals. For example, if you're planning to bring in 1,000 new customers this year, how does that impact energy use? These decisions today affect your costs and sustainability targets tomorrow.
Energy Procurement – Choosing the Right Strategy
Once you’ve got a plan, it's time to review your contracts.
Ask yourself:
Are your contracts structured to support your growth?
Are you consolidating contracts across sites to maximise buying power?
Are you factoring in long-term goals like sustainability and carbon reduction?
Procurement is more than just finding a cheaper rate — it's about finding the right fit. By consolidating sites and renegotiating contracts, I’ve seen businesses save 10–20% straight away. But the real value is in the strategy behind it.
Routine & Ritual – Making Energy Management Part of Your Culture
Energy management needs to be part of your rhythm and routine — not a one-off project.
Monthly Energy Health Check:
Track usage by site or department
Review invoices — incorrect rates are more common than you’d think
Check actual meter readings (don't rely on estimates!)
Compare expected vs actual savings from recent upgrades
Quarterly Energy Review:
Compare energy use with business activity — is inefficiency creeping in?
Check contract performance
Review return on energy-saving investments
This doesn’t have to be complex. Start with a simple structure — and if you want a head start, download my free energy assessment tool.
Take Action Now – Quick Wins That Add Up
While you’re building your strategy, here are things you can do today:
Fix the basics: Draught-proofing, sealing gaps, pipe insulation
Switch off: Don’t leave equipment running out of hours
Set responsibilities: Appoint someone to oversee energy checks
Display usage: Charts in staff rooms improve awareness and behaviour
Think of this like brushing your teeth — make it a habit, and the impact grows over time.
Get Into the Detail – Bring in Expert Support
Once your foundation is in place, go deeper. This is where the real savings lie.
Why bring in an expert?
In-depth analysis: Spot inefficiencies you’d otherwise miss through a complex assessment
Education: Understand not just the how but the why
Government-backed reports: Add credibility and support legal compliance
Tailored recommendations: No blanket approaches — every business is different
Good consultants don’t just give you advice — they hold you to account and make sure you stay on track. And the cost of an expert? It should pay for itself many times over.
Get Started with My Free Energy Assessment
Don’t wait. Download my free energy assessment tool — share it with your team and start uncovering savings straight away.
Here are some simple upgrades that can deliver quick paybacks, often within months:
LED Lighting: Longer lifespan, lower energy usage, and better efficiency.
Occupancy Sensors: Automatically turn off lights when not in use, saving on unnecessary energy.
Heating Controls: Fine-tune your heating system for maximum efficiency, with significant savings on your energy bills.
Vampire Energy: Unplug or set timers for electronics and appliances that consume energy even when turned off — this can be surprisingly impactful.
These upgrades often pay back very quickly, and once implemented, the savings continue over time. Make them part of your ongoing energy strategy to see a real difference.
Moving Beyond the Basics: High-Impact Solutions
Once you’ve tackled the low-hanging fruit, it’s time to move on to higher-impact solutions. These technologies can provide significant savings and long-term value:
Solar PV: Offset 20–40% of your energy usage by harnessing the power of the sun. ROI typically happens within 5-7 years.
Battery Storage: Store energy during off-peak hours and use it during peak periods, maximising cost savings and stabilising your energy supply.
Building Management Systems (BMS): Automate lighting, heating, and cooling systems to optimise energy usage across your buildings — the energy savings can be substantial.
Heat Pumps: Efficiently heat and cool your space using renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. With proper installation, payback can occur in 3-5 years.
And while these technologies are great, it’s important to know that there’s so much more out there. I like to stay updated and aligned with emerging technologies that could make a real difference for your organisation. From innovative energy efficiency solutions to breakthroughs in carbon reduction, the landscape is always evolving.
New Webinar Series Launching in April
To go even deeper, I’m launching a free monthly webinar starting at the end of April:
Title: How to Slash Energy Costs and Build a Long-Term Energy Strategy
Each session will last an hour and dive into detailed advice. There’s only so much I can share over an insight blog, and this will give you even more to take away and try for yourself, as well as a deeper understanding of the energy industry.
If you want to reserve your spot, just message me with "Webinar – Yes," and I’ll send over the first few dates for you to choose from - Contact Chris
Final Thought
There’s never been a better time to take control of your energy. Start with the free assessment, build your routine, and reach out if you want support. I’m always happy to help guide you in the right direction.
Good luck — have a go, and let me know how you’re getting on.
Thank you for reading! For more insights and tailored business commercial support, visit: Vitalis
