You might not always see the energy your business uses, but the evidence is all around you ― every time you drive a business vehicle, run machinery, or turn on office lights. These activities consume energy and cost money.

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Measure your business’s energy use 

Energy efficiency starts with understanding how your business operates and where energy is being used. Begin by reviewing your energy bills, talking to your energy provider, and observing daily operations to identify key patterns.

Ask yourself: 

  • Where is energy being used the most in your business?  
  • What type of energy do you rely on ― fossil fuels like petrol or diesel, or renewable energy like electricity (which comes from 80-85% renewable sources) or solar?
  • Which processes or equipment are the biggest drivers of energy use?  

Ways to measure your energy use

  • Review your energy bills

    Tracking your energy bills and vehicle fuel use is a great starting point for understanding energy use in your business. 

    Electricity providers generally offer usage reports, making it easy to compare historical usage. These insights can help you identify trends, spot sudden changes, and catch any unexpected charges or discrepancies. 

  • Use smart meters

    Smart meters track real-time energy usage, providing detailed insights into your electricity consumption ― often in 15- to 30-minute increments. This helps you identify peak usage time and patterns linked with specific activities or equipment. 

    If your business relies on gas, measuring can be more challenging and costly. Talk to your energy provider ― they may offer monitoring options and support to help you track and manage your energy use more effectively.  

While around 80-85% of New Zealand’s electricity comes from renewable sources, fossil fuels still power 99% of transportation and 60% of industrial energy use.

EECA, 2025*

Set targets to lower energy use 

Once you understand how your business uses energy, you can start identifying ways to save energy and improve efficiency.  

Review what you’ve learned from energy bills, smart meters, staff insights, or an energy consultant. These questions can guide your next steps: 

  • Are there long-standing practices that, if done differently, could reduce energy use?  
  • When replacing equipment ― like a refrigerator or vehicle ― can you get a more energy-efficient model instead of swapping like-for-like? 
  • Can any processes be streamlined or eliminated to improve productivity while lowering energy usage?