Energy Pilot Business Energy Check

1 — Business Profile

Business name

Sample Café Ltd

Business type

Cafe

Premises size

120 m²

Staff count

6

Equipment noted: Gas supply, Air conditioning, Refrigeration

2 — Billing Period Summary

Billing period

2026-02-01 to 2026-03-04

Billing days

31 days

Supplier

Demo Energy Co

Reading type

Actual

Electricity cost (bill)

£620.00

Electricity kWh

2,100 kWh

Unit rate

28.50p/kWh

Standing charge

48.00p/day

Gas cost (bill)

£280.00

Gas kWh

3,600 kWh

3 — Opening-Hours Analysis

Weekly open hours

56.7 hrs

Weekly closed hours

111.3 hrs

Cost per open hour

£3.59

kWh per open hour

22.71 kWh

4 — Estimated Spend

Est. monthly spend

£883.74

Est. annual spend

£10,596.77

5 — Energy Pilot Score

65/100   High concern

Your electricity use looks high for a business open 56.7 hours per week. The main area worth checking is energy used outside normal trading hours.

6 — Estimated Annual Saving Range

Possible monthly waste

£141.40 – £220.94

Possible annual saving

£1,696.80 – £2,651.28

7 — Possible Bill Issues

8 — Your business recommendations

Do today

• Check heating timer settings — Heating running outside business hours is one of the biggest sources of avoidable waste. [Easy · High saving]
• Check hot water timer settings — Hot water systems left running overnight waste energy continuously. [Easy · Medium saving]
• Check lights, signage, extraction fans and equipment after closing — A quick closing walkthrough can eliminate significant overnight baseload. [Easy · Medium saving]
• Check your unit rate and standing charge — Many businesses are on expired tariffs with rates well above market. [Easy · High saving]
• Check refrigeration seals and temperatures — Worn seals make refrigeration work harder, increasing energy use by up to 30%. [Easy · Medium saving]

Do this week

• Take a meter reading at closing time and again at opening time — This reveals your true out-of-hours consumption — the most reliable indicator of waste. [Easy · High saving]
• Create a staff closing-down checklist — A simple checklist prevents equipment being left on and builds a culture of energy awareness. [Easy · Medium saving]
• Compare this bill with the previous bill — Unexplained increases often indicate equipment problems or billing errors. [Easy · Medium saving]
• Review thermostat settings — Every 1°C reduction in heating setpoint can save 8–10% on heating costs. [Easy · High saving]
• Review extraction fan running times — Extraction fans left running after service hours waste significant energy. [Easy · Medium saving]
• Check whether cooking equipment is left on during quiet periods — Commercial cooking equipment uses a large amount of energy even on standby. [Easy · High saving]

Consider next

• Install smart plugs or sub-metering for key equipment — Knowing which equipment uses most energy lets you prioritise savings effectively. [Medium · High saving]
• Service boiler, HVAC or refrigeration equipment — Poorly maintained equipment consumes significantly more energy than necessary. [Medium · Medium saving]
• Review your energy contract before renewal — Switching at the right time could reduce unit rates by 10–20%. [Medium · High saving]
• Upgrade lighting controls or timers — Occupancy sensors and time controls can cut lighting costs by up to 60%. [Medium · Medium saving]
• Review prep and cleaning energy use outside trading hours — Prep and cleaning periods often use more energy per hour than trading periods. [Medium · Medium saving]

9 — Top Likely Causes of Waste

• Air conditioning — can run on default schedules unrelated to occupancy
• Equipment left on after closing — lighting, signage, standby loads and extraction fans
• Heating or cooling timed for convenience rather than actual occupancy

10 — Important notes

This check provides an estimate based on the information entered. It is not a formal energy audit and results should be treated as indicative only. Possible savings are not guaranteed. Energy Pilot is not an energy supplier and does not switch you automatically. For a detailed assessment, review your meter readings, equipment schedules and contract terms, or consult a qualified energy adviser.

Prepared by Energy Pilot. This report is based on the information and bills provided. 13 May 2026