Running a small business means watching every penny, and those pence per kilowatt hour rates quickly turn into pounds on your business energy bills. Especially if your premises and people aren't the most energy-efficient.

A business energy audit is a smart way to take control of your energy usage, spot areas where you're wasting money, and find simple ways to become more efficient.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know about business energy audits, including what's involved, how they can help, how to get one, and whether it’s worth the effort for your business.

What is a business energy audit?

A business energy audit is a detailed review of how your business uses energy. It looks at things like lighting, heating, equipment, insulation, and even your habits – all with the aim of spotting where energy is being wasted and what can be done to improve efficiency.

Think of it like a health check for your business premises. The end goal is to help you cut unnecessary energy use, reduce your bills, and make your business more sustainable.

Depending on your business size and setup, an audit might involve:

• Analysing your past energy bills
• Checking insulation, windows and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Reviewing how staff use equipment
• Suggesting changes to your energy contract or supplier

An energy audit can be done internally by someone in your team or externally by a qualified assessor or energy consultant. The more detailed the audit, the more insights you’ll get into how to save.

What are the benefits of an energy audit?

If you’re running a small business, an energy audit can deliver a whole range of benefits — from cutting costs to boosting your green credentials.

• Lower energy bills - Audits often reveal hidden energy drains, like equipment left on overnight or inefficient lighting. Fixing these can help cut the amount you spend on business electricity and gas.
• Improved efficiency - An audit can help you make the most of your energy usage. That means fewer wasted hours heating empty rooms or powering idle machines.
• Better budgeting - Understanding your energy usage helps you forecast more accurately. This can mean no more unexpected bill spikes or nasty surprises.
• Greener business practices - Cutting down on energy use is good for the planet. If you’re working towards net zero, or simply want to show customers you care, an audit is a solid first step.
• Easier compliance - Some sectors must meet strict energy efficiency rules. An audit can highlight where you’re falling short and what you can do about it.

What are the drawbacks of an energy audit?

While energy audits are generally worthwhile, you need to consider the drawbacks, especially if you’re running a tight operation.

• Upfront costs - Professional audits aren’t always free. Depending on the size of your business and the level of detail you want, prices can range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. To avoid these costs, you can carry out you own audit or see if your business energy supplier offers free or subsidised audits.
• Time commitment - Even a basic audit can take time, especially if you need to track down paperwork, give access to your site, or involve multiple team members.
• Implementation costs - You might uncover issues that are costly to fix, like poor insulation or outdated machinery. You’re not obligated to make changes, but big upgrades can add up.

How long does an energy audit take? 

A basic audit might be complete in a few hours, but a full professional review could take several days, depending on your business size.

What does a business energy audit include?

An energy audit is more than just checking your electricity meter. It covers a wide range of areas across your business and premises. Here are some of the typical features:

Reviewing your energy bills

The first step is often analysing your past energy use – usually over 12 months. This helps spot any unusual patterns, seasonal spikes, or areas where you're using more energy than expected.

Looking at your building and equipment

An auditor will examine things like insulation, windows, doors, and roofing to see how well your building retains heat. They’ll also check the condition and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, lighting, and other appliances.

Monitoring energy habits

It’s not just what you use – it’s how and when you use it. A good audit will look at staff habits, operational hours, and any processes that could be using energy inefficiently, like leaving equipment on overnight or using outdated machines.

Identifying quick wins and long-term fixes

You’ll usually get a report at the end with simple changes you can make straight away, like switching to LED bulbs or adjusting your thermostat, as well as longer-term recommendations like upgrading insulation or investing in energy-efficient equipment.

Will an audit disrupt my business?

Auditors will generally work around your schedule, so there should be little or no disruption.

Who should get an energy audit?

You don’t need to be a large corporation to benefit. An energy audit can be particularly useful in the following circumstances:

• Your bills have suddenly gone up, and you’re not sure why
• You’ve moved to new premises
• You use energy-intensive equipment
• You’re interested in switching to a greener supplier or installing renewable tech

An energy review can even help small offices, restaurants, and shops make meaningful, money-saving changes.

How to get a business energy audit

There are a few different routes you can take, depending on your budget, time and goals. If you're strapped for cash, it might be best to carry out an initial audit yourself. Or you could ask your business energy supplier if they offer free energy audits to customers.

Here are your main options.

1. Do it yourself

If your business is small and your energy use is relatively straightforward, you might be able to carry out a basic audit yourself.

Start by gathering your energy bills for the past year and noting down how much gas and electricity you use each month. Look for patterns or unexpected spikes.

Next, walk through your premises and ask questions like:

• Are lights or machines left on when no one is using them?
• Could you switch to more energy-efficient equipment?
• Are doors and windows properly sealed to keep heat in?
• Is your thermostat set too high or low?

Make a list of any areas where energy might be wasted and note what changes could be made.

While this approach won’t give you the depth of a professional audit, it’s a great starting point – and costs nothing to do.

2. Use your energy supplier

Some business energy suppliers offer audits as part of their service, especially if you’re a current customer or switching to a new tariff. These might include:

• Remote energy reviews based on your bills
• On-site visits with tailored recommendations
• Access to usage-tracking software or apps

Check your account dashboard or speak to your supplier to see what’s on offer.

3. Hire an independent energy assessor

For a more detailed review, consider bringing in an expert. A professional auditor or consultant will use specialist tools like energy meters, thermal cameras, and airflow testers to give you a full picture of your energy performance.

They’ll also be able to tailor their recommendations based on your business size, budget, and goals. Some may even help you apply for funding or government support to make improvements.

Costs can vary depending on the size and complexity of your premises, but many businesses find the savings uncovered by an audit quickly outweigh the upfront cost.

If you go down this route, look for professionals accredited by:

• CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)
• Energy Institute
• ESOS-qualified assessors (for larger businesses)

This option is best if you’re planning a big upgrade or want to apply for energy efficiency funding or grants.

What happens during a professional audit?

A full audit typically involves three main steps:

1. Data collection - The auditor will gather data about your energy usage — past bills, meter readings, building layout and equipment lists.
2. Site inspection - They’ll visit your premises and check insulation, lighting, heating systems, controls and processes. They'll also observe how your staff use energy in daily tasks.
3. Report and recommendations - You’ll receive a written report outlining where you’re using (and wasting) energy, practical, tailored recommendations, and estimated cost savings and payback periods

Some auditors will also help you implement changes or monitor progress afterwards.

How much does a business energy audit cost?

Business energy audit costs vary depending on your business size and the depth of the audit. Here’s a rough guide:

Audit Type	Typical Cost Range
Basic DIY audit	Free
Supplier audit	Free – £200 (if charged)
Independent audit	£300 – £2,000+

For micro and small businesses (under 10 staff), you might only need a basic site walkthrough costing £300–£500. Large and industrial businesses and those with multiple sites will cost more.

What happens after the audit?

Once you’ve got your report, you then need to put the recommendations in place. Your business energy audit report should include:

• A list of low-cost, quick fixes (like switching bulbs or sealing draughts)
• Medium-term upgrades (like new heating controls or better insulation)
• Long-term investments (like solar panels or energy-efficient machinery)

You don’t have to do everything at once, so focus on the changes that have the biggest impact and lowest cost. You might also consider:

• Switching to a cheaper business energy deal
• Fit a smart meter or usage tracking tools. If your business is high-consumption, you'll probably already have a half-hourly meter
• Applying for green business grants or tax incentives

How to cut your business energy bills

Most small businesses will benefit from an energy audit. Even a basic audit can highlight quick wins and set you up for bigger savings down the line. If you want to cut costs, reduce waste and show customers you care about sustainability, a business energy audit is a smart move.

Being more energy-efficient is a great way to lower your energy bills. Once an audit has revealed how and where you can save energy, getting into good energy habits should help keep costs down in the long term. It's also a good idea to make sure your business is paying the cheapest possible rates for business gas and electricity.

To start your business energy comparison, call our business energy experts on 0800 140 4667 today.