A recent study has revealed that a significant number of UK small business worker employees are inattentive to energy consumption at work, largely because they are not directly responsible for the costs.
The research, conducted by Smart Energy GB, surveyed 1,000 small business employees and found that over a third admitted to being less mindful of energy usage in the workplace compared to their habits at home. A staggering 75 per cent of respondents said they had no idea how much their employer spent on utilities each month, while nearly half admitted that their primary focus was on their job, leaving little room to consider energy efficiency.
Wasted Energy: The Hidden Cost to UK Small Businesses
The study unearthed widespread energy waste across UK workplaces. Half of those surveyed confessed to leaving office devices on standby, 48 per cent overfilled the kettle, and 38 per cent regularly forgot to switch off lights in unoccupied rooms. Even more concerning, one in five employees admitted to leaving doors open when heating or cooling systems were running, needlessly increasing energy consumption.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was that 12 per cent of workers admitted to using office showers to cut down on their personal energy bills at home—a practice that raises concerns over excessive resource use and workplace expenses.
Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB, the organisation behind the study, believes these findings highlight an opportunity for UK small businesses to engage employees in energy-saving initiatives. She commented:
“Employees are more mindful of energy use at home, but understandably, at work, they have their minds on other things. Small business owners can take simple steps, such as installing a smart meter, to track energy consumption and identify areas where savings can be made.”
Encouragingly, the study also found that two-thirds of employees would be willing to call out wasteful behaviour thus promoting fulfilment in the workplace, suggesting that raising awareness could be an effective strategy for cost-cutting and sustainability efforts.
Top 10 Workplace Energy Wastes Identified
To provide insight into where businesses are losing money due to energy inefficiencies, the study pinpointed the top ten areas of wasteful energy use:
| Rank | Top 10 Workplace Energy Wastages |
| 1 | Leaving printers and copiers on standby |
| 2 | Keeping unused equipment plugged in |
| 3 | Boiling the kettle with more water than needed |
| 4 | Leaving lights on in empty rooms |
| 5 | Printing documents unnecessarily |
| 6 | Using lifts instead of stairs for short trips |
| 7 | Using personal heaters instead of central heating |
| 8 | Keeping doors open when heating or cooling is active |
| 9 | Using too much lighting in naturally bright areas |
| 10 | Failing to switch off meeting room projectors and screens |
Why UK Employers Should Take Action
With energy costs soaring and sustainability at the forefront of business priorities, UK small business owners must take proactive steps to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Simple changes such as:
- Educating employees about energy costs and best practices,
- Installing smart meters to monitor consumption, and
- Implementing office policies that promote energy-conscious behaviour
…could help businesses save thousands of pounds annually.
As Bacon points out, small changes can have a big impact. If every worker took just one step towards reducing energy waste, UK businesses could significantly cut overheads while reducing their carbon footprint.
The Workers Union Says…
“With energy prices continuing to challenge small businesses, the findings of this study highlight an urgent need for better energy awareness in UK workplaces. Small businesses should empower employees to take ownership of energy efficiency and implement practical solutions to reduce waste. Investing in smart meters and workplace education will not only save money but also contribute to broader sustainability goals—benefiting businesses, workers, and the environment alike.”
