How can you reduce your company’s energy bill?
Against a backdrop of rising energy prices and increased regulatory pressure, reducing energy bills is becoming a strategic lever for competitiveness, profitability and corporate image. In 2025, faced with market instability and societal expectations, what are the most effective strategies to adopt? Discover our analysis.
Reducing energy bills has become a strategic challenge
Energy context in 2025
Since 2022, electricity and gas prices have experienced exceptional volatility. This instability has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, the European energy transition and the requirements of the Tertiary Decree in France. According to ADEME, energy management is now a priority for companies.
(Sources: ADEME, French Ministry of Ecological Transition)
Companies: CSR and competitiveness
By reducing their energy consumption, companies can:
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Reduce their operating costs,
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Comply with regulatory requirements (e.g. CSRD and Tertiary Decree ),
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Improve their competitiveness over the long term.
Making the most of energy data for better performance management
In 2025, energy consumption data will become a strategic asset in its own right. Thanks to intelligent measurement technologies (IoT sensors, connected meters, supervision platforms), companies can monitor their usage in real time, detect drifts and adjust their strategy.
The implementation of an ISO 50001-compliant energy management system (EMS) enables us to structure a continuous improvement process, identify the most energy-intensive equipment and generate automatic alerts.
The most advanced companies even cross-reference this data with their management tools (ERP, CMMS, etc.) to fine-tune their operations (production, weather, occupancy, etc.).
In short, the intelligent use of data enables energy performance to be firmly anchored in the company’s overall strategy.
The best energy efficiency strategies in 2025
Carry out an in-depth energy audit
An energy audit is the first step in a structured approach. It enables us to identify energy-intensive items, identify potential energy savings and prioritize corrective actions.
➡️Want to learn more about energy efficiency? Find out more here
Good to know: Carrying out a comprehensive energy efficiency program before implementing a solar project means that it can be sized according to needs that have already been optimized. This effectively reduces dependence on the grid and the “uncontrollable” portion of energy costs.
Optimize heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
HVAC equipment can account for up to 50% of energy bills in commercial and industrial buildings. The key levers to be activated by 2025 on these utilities :
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upgrade boilers or install heat pumps,
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install intelligent control systems,
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regularly maintain heating and ventilation systems,
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adapter la température aux plages d’occupation.
Improve lighting efficiency
An obsolete lighting system can account for up to 25% of energy costs. Simple, effective solutions can be deployed to avoid this, such as :
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replacement of luminaires with latest-generation LEDs,
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adding presence or brightness detectors,
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intelligent space zoning,
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Better use lighting at the end of the day or in low-traffic areas.
Adopt a collective energy-saving approach
Reducing consumption also involves people. To be effective, this approach must be based on employee mobilization and cross-functional energy governance involving all company departments. We can implement federative and targeted actions such as :
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training employees in eco-gestures,
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appointment of one or more Energy Advisors,
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regular promotion of results to mobilize teams over the long term.
Effective governance also involves General Management as well as HR, technical and purchasing teams. It creates a shared culture of energy efficiency and optimization.
Getting involved in self-generated energy
To sustainably reduce their energy bills and reinforce their autonomy, companies can also turn to self-generation of energy. This strategy is based on the installation of appropriate local production and storage equipment:
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photovoltaic panels on roofs, parking lots or shaded areas,
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hybrid systems combining solar generation and batteries or thermal storage,
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heat pumps to produce heating and/or cooling.
This production allows us to better control costs, reduce transmission losses and improve our carbon footprint.
Adapting energy supply contracts
Too often overlooked, this strategy can generate up to 20% in immediate savings. Here are a few key, high-impact steps:
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regular review of supply contracts,
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make an informed choice between fixed and indexed offers,
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competitive bidding for suppliers.
Mobilizing financial aid
Many countries offer assistance to support companies in their energy transition initiatives. In France, there are a number of schemes that can help reduce the remaining costs, such as :
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Energy Savings Certificates (CEE),
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ADEME or regional subsidies,
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the “third-party investor” financing model proposed by various operators (including GreenYellow).
➡️ Explore our solutions for financing your energy transition projects
| STRATEGY | POTENTIAL GAINS | IMPLEMENTATION TIME | DIFFICULTY | ROI ESTIMATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full energy audit | Up to -30% | 1 to 2 months | Average | 6 to 12 months |
| HVAC optimization (regulation, replacement, etc.) | Up to -40% | 2 to 6 months | High | 1 to 3 years |
| LED lighting + detection | Up to -25% | 1 month | Low | 3 to 9 months |
| Energy efficiency (training, piloting, etc.) | Up to -15% | Progressive | Average | Immediate to 1 year |
| Solar production | Up to -35% | 3 to 6 months | High | 5 to 8 years |
| Energy contract optimization | Up to -20% | 1 month | Low | Immediate to 6 months |
| Mobilization of grants (CEE, ADEME, etc.) | 10 to 70 €/MWh saved | 1 to 3 months | Average | Variable depending on grant |
ADEME (2024), Accelerating and Sustaining Energy Sobriety in Tertiary Buildings (full report PDF), ADEME, published February 2023, 120 pages. [Download]
ADEME (2024), Towards Energy Efficiency: The French Tertiary Sector Gains Momentum (press release + OPÉRAT report), ADEME, September 24, 2024, 8 pages. [Download]
ATEE-CCI IDF (Jan. 2024), BACS Decree: For Smarter and More Energy-Efficient Buildings (webinar PDF), January 30, 2024, 15 pages. [Download]
ADEME-Anem (2022), Energy and Environmental Renovation of Tertiary Buildings (study of 12 operations in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), ADEME, October 2022, 100 pages. [Download]
GreenYellow: a partner to structure and accelerate your energy transition
Since 2007, GreenYellow has been helping companies to sustainably manage their energy consumption. Our approach is distinguished by:
– Tailor-made support: from audit to operational implementation, right through to management;
– Turnkey solutions: financing, installation and performance monitoring;
– Multi-site, multi-sector expertise: from industry to commerce to local authorities;
– Measurable results, contractualized through performance commitments.
We believe in a profitable energy transition for corporates. Every project must be able to generate real, verifiable savings.
🔗 Discover our 4 areas of expertise to support your energy transition
🎯 Client case: Leroy Merlin Brazil takes action with GreenYellow
Leroy Merlin, a major player in specialized distribution, has embarked on a vast energy efficiency program in Brazil with the support of GreenYellow.
The project:
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Complete overhaul of lighting in over 65 stores,
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Customized lighting studies for each site,
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Installation and rental of lighting systems for new points of sale,
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Improved customer experience thanks to more homogeneous, longer-lasting light.
The results:
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🔋 23.3 GWh saved per year,
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🌍 990 tonnes of CO₂ avoided,
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💡 18% energy savings on overall bill,
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💰 0% client investment, with a turnkey rental model.
Conclusion: act now for lasting gains
By combining technical (HVAC, LED, solar), behavioral (training) and financial (CEE, optimized contracts) measures, your company can reduce its energy bill by up to 40%.
Take action and accelerate your energy transition with actions that are profitable, measurable and in line with your CSR commitments.
📩 Contact the GreenYellow experts to build your tailor-made energy transition project.
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