How can businesses reduce their energy bills?

Against a backdrop of sustained increases in energy prices and growing regulatory pressures, reducing energy bills is becoming a strategic driver for businesses in terms of competitiveness, profitability, and brand image. In 2026, faced with market instability and societal expectations, what are the most effective strategies to adopt? Find out in our analysis.

Why reduce your company’s energy expenses?

Energy context in 2026

Since 2022, electricity and gas prices have been experiencing exceptional volatility. This instability is exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, the European energy transition, and the requirements of the Tertiary Decree in France. According to the ADEME, energy management is now a priority for businesses.
(Sources: ADEME, Ministry of Ecological Transition)

Businesses: CSR and competitiveness challenges

By reducing their energy consumption, businesses can simultaneously :

Lower their operating costs,
Meet regulatory requirements (CSRD and Tertiary Decree, for example),
Strengthen their CSR commitments,
Improve their competitiveness in the long term.
Leveraging energy data to better manage performance

In 2026, energy consumption data has become a strategic asset in its own right. Thanks to smart measurement technologies (IoT sensors, connected meters, supervision platforms), companies can monitor their usage in real time, detect anomalies, and adjust their strategy accordingly.

Implementing an Energy Management System (EnMS) compliant with ISO 50001 provides a structured framework for continuous improvement. It enables companies to identify the most energy‑intensive equipment and to generate automated alerts.

The most advanced organizations even combine their energy data with management systems (ERP, CMMS, etc.) to fine-tune operations based on production, weather conditions, occupancy, and more.

In short, the intelligent use of data helps make energy performance a lasting and integrated part of a company’s overall strategy.

7 strategies for reducing energy costs in your company

Conduct a thorough energy audit

An energy audit is the first step in a structured approach. It helps identify energy-intensive areas, potential energy savings, and prioritize corrective actions.

Good to know: Conducting a comprehensive energy efficiency program before implementing a solar project allows you to scale it to already optimized needs. This effectively reduces dependence on the grid and the “uncontrollable” portion of energy costs.

Optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment can account for up to 50% of the energy bill in commercial or industrial buildings. Key drivers to activate in 2026 for these utilities:

Modernize boilers or install heat pumps
Install smart control systems
Regularly maintain heating and ventilation systems
Adjust the temperature to occupancy levels

Improve lighting efficiency

An obsolete lighting system can account for up to 25% of energy expenses. Simple and effective solutions can be deployed to avoid this, such as:

replacing light fixtures with latest-generation LEDs,
adding presence or light sensors,
le zonage intelligent des espaces,
making better use of lighting at the end of the day or in areas with low occupancy.

Adopt a collective energy efficiency approach

Reducing consumption also depends on people. To be effective, this approach must be based on employee engagement and cross-functional energy governance involving all departments of the company. Targeted, unifying actions can be implemented, such as:

training employees in eco-friendly practices,
appointing one or more Energy Representatives,
and regularly promoting results in order to sustainably engage teams.

Effective governance also involves senior management as well as HR, technical, and purchasing teams. It helps create a shared culture of energy efficiency and optimization.

Committing to self-production of energy

To reduce their bills in the long term and increase their autonomy, companies can also turn to self-production of energy. This strategy is based on the installation of appropriate local production and storage equipment:

rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, on parking lots, or in Solar Carports,
hybrid systems combining solar production and storage batteries or thermal storage,
heat pumps to produce heat and/or cooling.

This production allows for better control of costs, reduces losses related to electricity transmission, and improves the carbon footprint.

➡️ Compare our energy storage solutions for businesses

Adapting energy supply contracts

Too often overlooked, this strategy can generate up to 20% in immediate savings. Here are some key steps with a high impact:

regular review of supply contracts,
informed choice between fixed or indexed offers,
competition between suppliers.

Mobilize financial aid

Many countries offer aid to support businesses in their energy transition efforts. In France, several schemes are available to reduce the remaining costs, such as:

Energy Saving Certificates (CEE),
subsidies from the ADEME or regional authorities,
the “third-party investor” financing model offered by various operators (including GreenYellow).

➡️ Explore our solutions for financing your energy transition projects

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STRATEGY	POTENTIAL GAINS	IMPLEMENTATION TIME	DIFFICULTY	ESTIMATED ROI
Complete 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, management, 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 aid (EEC, ADEME, etc.)	€10 to €70/MWh saved	1 to 3 months	Average	Variable depending on aid

Sources :
ADEME (2024), Accélérer et pérenniser la sobriété énergétique des bâtiments tertiaires (rapport complet PDF), ADEME, publié en février 2023, 120 p. Télécharger
ADEME (2024), Vers l’efficacité énergétique : le parc tertiaire français accélère le pas (communiqué + bilan OPÉRAT), ADEME, 24 septembre 2024, 8 p. Télécharger
ATEE‑CCI IDF (janv. 2024), Décret BACS : pour des bâtiments plus intelligents et plus économes (webinaire PDF), 30 janv. 2024, 15 p. Télécharger
ADEME‑Anem (2022), La rénovation énergétique et environnementale des bâtiments tertiaires (étude de 12 opérations Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), ADEME, octobre 2022, 100 p. Télécharger

GreenYellow: a partner to structure and accelerate your energy transition

Since 2007, GreenYellow has been helping companies achieve sustainable control of their energy consumption. Our approach is distinguished by:

– Tailor-made support: from auditing to operational implementation and management;

– Turnkey solutions: financing, installation, and performance monitoring;

– Multi-site and multi-sector expertise: from industry to retail and local authorities;

– Measurable results, contractualized through performance commitments.

We believe in an energy transition that is profitable for businesses. Every project must be able to generate real and verifiable savings.

🔗 Find out our four areas of expertise to support your energy transition

🎯 Case study: Leroy Merlin Brazil illuminates its performance with GreenYellow

Leroy Merlin, a major player in specialized retail, has embarked on a vast energy efficiency program in Brazil with the support of GreenYellow.

The project:

Complete overhaul of lighting in more than 65 stores,
Customized lighting studies for each site,
Installation and rental of lighting systems for new points of sale,
Improved customer experience thanks to more consistent and sustainable lighting.

The results:

🔋 23.3 GWh saved per year,
🌍 990 tons of CO₂ avoided,
💡 18% energy savings on the overall bill,
💰 0% client investment, with a turnkey rental model.

➡️ See the client case study

Conclusion: act now for sustainable gains

By combining technical measures (HVAC, LED, solar), behavioral measures (training), and financial measures (Energy Efficiency Certificates, optimized contracts), your company can reduce its energy bill by up to 40%.

Take action and accelerate your energy transition with cost-effective, measurable actions that are in line with your CSR commitments.

📩 Contact the experts at GreenYellow to build your customized energy transition project.

Selected clients’ references