Reducing costs without losing service quality is one of the main challenges for Galician SMEs and self-employed professionals. One of the biggest fixed expenses in businesses is energy, and that is why improving energy efficiency can make a real difference. At the Economic Office of Galicia, we explain how to take the first steps to consume less and save more.
Reducing costs without affecting the quality of services or products is a key goal for any small or medium-sized company. One of the most important fixed costs in businesses is energy, which is why improving energy efficiency becomes a great saving opportunity. From the Economic Office of Galicia, we want to help you understand how you can consume less and better by adapting realistic solutions within your reach.
Key concepts to understand consumption
Many times we pay more than necessary because we do not fully understand our electricity bill. Knowing concepts such as contracted power or electricity consumption is essential to understand invoices and make the first decisions.
For example, contracted power is the maximum energy you can use at the same time, and you pay for it even if you don’t use it. If you are above what you actually need, you may be wasting money every month. On the other hand, electricity consumption is the energy you actually use, where there is also room for improvement: from reviewing schedules and habits to using more efficient equipment or LED lighting.
Energy efficiency does not mean consuming less just for the sake of it, but using only the energy you need, without waste. For instance, programming climate control systems, turning off unused equipment, or avoiding standby mode may seem minor, but they have a direct impact on your bill. In addition, choosing efficient technology or periodically reviewing your electricity contract can make a difference.
Practical tips to save energy
A growing option is self-consumption. Installing solar panels is no longer exclusive to large industries: public subsidies and lower costs make it a viable alternative for small businesses or freelancers. Generating part of your own energy means independence, savings, and also a commitment to sustainability. In this sense, energy communities are also worth mentioning—groups of individuals, companies, or entities that share renewable production facilities and distribute the benefits among participants.
From the Economic Office of Galicia, we offer you resources and free advice to take these steps. There are support programs from the Xunta de Galicia for efficiency improvements, such as subsidized audits, financing for modernizing equipment, or installing self-consumption systems.
For example, a clothing store, with the support of an advisor, reviewed its contracted power, replaced all its lighting with LED, and installed motion sensors. In less than six months, it reduced its bill by 25%. Small changes, big results. Energy efficiency is within your SME’s reach. All you need is clear information and informed decisions.
