UK agriculture SMEs are the savviest energy savers

• More than two thirds will shut down work computers at night
• But one in ten believe leaving their computers on standby uses the same amount of energy as shutting down completely

UK small businesses could be spending an extra £30,888,000 every day by leaving computers on standby, according to new research from energy company E.ON.

E.ON is on a mission to get British business energy fit and found that more than one in three (39 per cent) of UK small businesses are not shutting down computers at night, and one in five only power down fully at the weekend.

However, according to the research, small businesses in the agriculture sector were found to be the most energy savvy, with more than two thirds (69 per cent) shutting down work computers every night. Those small businesses in the agriculture sector are also one of the most likely sectors to shut down their computers every night, with three out of four (74 per cent) small businesses doing so every day - not just at the weekend.

This is in comparison to small businesses in the retail sector which are the biggest perpetrators, with two thirds (69 per cent) admitting that they do not shut down work computers at night.  Even more concerning is that 59 per cent of businesses in the retail sector only fully power down computers at the weekend.

Iain Walker, Head of Business Sales at E.ON, said: "Ten per cent of small business owners wrongly assume that leaving computers on standby at night uses the same amount of energy as shutting them down completely.

"Introducing small changes into the culture of your business, like turning equipment off fully at night, can have a significant financial impact on your energy bills."

The research also revealed that despite the fact that small businesses in the agriculture sector were the most energy savvy, some firms lacked awareness of energy usage with one in 10 small businesses in the agriculture sector believing that leaving computers on standby at night uses the same amount of energy as shutting down completely.

Small business energy saving knowledge by sector (percentage):

How to get your business energy fit

Customers who take E.ON's Business EnergyManager receive fixed prices and a free energy monitor, with downloadable software, to help them understand the amount of electricity they consume, to cut bills and to save energy.

E.ON offers a wide range of tariffs that benefit customers at different times of day, such as off peak and weekend rates.  By using Business EnergyManager, and fully understanding their consumption patterns, businesses can choose the correct tariff for their needs and make significant steps towards achieving their energy fitness goals.

Business customers can also download E.ON's App to help manage their account on the go.

For more information, businesses should call 0800 046 2664 or visit eonenergy.com/energymanager.