As the colder months draw in and energy costs rise, your business can take practical steps to cut overheads, boost comfort, and strengthen resilience. There are also commercial supports available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) – tailored for business premises rather than domestic use.
1. Begin with an Energy Review
Start with a walkthrough of your premises to spot where energy might be wasted – draughty doors, old lighting, or heating left on in unused areas. Simple actions like sealing gaps, installing radiator reflectors, or programming heating to match working hours can deliver quick savings. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree can cut heating costs by up to 10%.
2. Set an Energy Policy and Appoint a Champion
To make energy efficiency part of your business culture, establish an Energy and Sustainability Policy. This should outline your company’s commitment to reducing consumption, cutting carbon emissions, and investing in sustainable operations.
Appoint an Energy Champion – someone responsible for tracking usage, communicating progress, and engaging staff. This person can coordinate regular reviews, lead awareness campaigns, and act as a point of contact for suppliers and grant bodies. Setting measurable goals (such as reducing energy use by 10% over 12 months) ensures progress is visible and achievable.
Regularly review performance and share results with your team. Recognition and small incentives can help maintain momentum and make sustainability part of everyone’s daily routine.
3. Optimise Lighting and Equipment
Lighting often accounts for a significant share of your electricity use. Upgrading to LED lighting reduces energy and maintenance costs, while fitting motion or daylight sensors ensures lights are only on when needed.
Encourage staff to adopt energy-saving habits: switch off equipment overnight, use sleep modes on computers, and make the most of natural light.
4. Invest in Long-Term Efficiency
Once the quick wins are complete, plan for more substantial upgrades such as high-efficiency boilers, heat pumps, improved insulation, or solar PV panels.
SEAI offers several commercial grant schemes to support such investments:
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The Support Scheme for Energy Audits helps fund professional audits to identify the best opportunities.
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The Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) supports the installation of solar PV systems for businesses, allowing you to generate your own renewable electricity.
5. Access the LEO Energy Efficiency Grant
Your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) can provide additional funding for small businesses aiming to improve their energy performance.
The Energy Efficiency Grant offers up to 75% funding, from a minimum of €750 to a maximum of €10,000, for projects recommended in a Green for Business report, GreenStart report, or SEAI energy audit.
Eligible costs include smart heating and lighting controls, meters, system upgrades over five years old, heat recovery, and water-management systems. Solar panels and insulation works are not covered (these fall under SEAI’s remit).
To qualify, your business must:
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Employ 1–50 people and be trading for at least six months;
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Operate from a commercially rateable premises (or have a lease with at least 12 months remaining);
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Be tax compliant;
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Not be a client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA.
Contact your LEO before applying – they can confirm eligibility and guide you through the documentation process.
By acting now, your business can reduce costs, increase comfort, and contribute to Ireland’s low-carbon future.
See helpful links below:
