Energy Efficiency for Clubs in Victoria

We’ve recently partnered with Zembl, who for more than 14 years, have been offering energy procurement and bill comparison services to Australian businesses, helping everyone from small community clubs to large RSL clubs optimise their energy consumption and improve their bottom lines.

Balancing Hospitality with Economy

Unique pressures on your Club’s bottom line
Wherever there are bustling kitchens, welcome lounges, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant gaming rooms, there’s an energy bill—often one as extravagant as the experience it powers.

Where Clubs Consume Their Energy
Clubs have a unique need to provide dining and comfortable spaces for patrons on a large scale. Refrigeration, lighting, cooking, and HVAC (air conditioning) systems are the primary energy consumers, with energy accounting for around 6 to 10% of total business costs. Clubs that operate 24-hours or have extensive gaming areas may exceed these figures significantly. These clubs are bearing the brunt of peak demand charges, where sudden surges in energy use can result in astronomical energy costs that are often beyond direct control.

It follows that energy efficiency, if it promises to reduce these hefty costs without compromising the quality of experience for patrons, is worth a thorough exploration.

Why Energy Efficiency, Why Now?

Making Every Dollar Count
In 2024 in Australia, every industry providing for a want, rather than a need, is subject to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. Clubs are no exception. When discretionary spending is cut, it can impact club attendance and revenue. This means every saving that can be made on fixed costs like energy bills is a dollar that doesn’t need to be re-allocated or passed on to patrons.

The RSL Advantage
A unique advantage Australian RSLs have is the age of their members, many of whom belong to the baby boomer generation. This group often has more disposable income for hospitality spending, giving RSLs less revenue squeeze and less pressure on membership fees and menu prices. That said, RSLs are not-for-profit organizations dedicated to their members, so every saving helps them enhance member benefits.

3 Key Benefits of Energy Efficiency

Why Cost Savings Are Just the Beginning
Energy efficiency is a strategic approach that offers a wealth of benefits, not just for a club’s bottom line, but for its brand image and environmental footprint as well.

1. Cost Savings
   The most enticing aspect of energy efficiency initiatives is the potential for financial savings. Simple changes, from updating lighting systems to optimizing HVAC operations, can lead to immediate reductions in the energy bill. For clubs, every dollar saved in energy costs is a dollar earned in profit, making every penny significant when margins are tight.

2. Environmental Benefits
   Energy-saving measures naturally lead to environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lighter carbon footprint. In an era where corporate social responsibility is vital, these eco-credentials are invaluable, especially when they come with cost savings.

3. Brand Appeal
   When clubs adopt energy efficiency, they don’t just save money—they demonstrate they’re future focussed.. By integrating sustainability into their operations, clubs can enhance their reputation, offering patrons peace of mind that their leisure activities are environmentally conscious.

6 Powerful Energy Savers

Making Change Where the Biggest Gains Are
Every club has its own nuances affecting energy efficiency opportunities. However, most clubs can benefit from these six energy-saving strategies:

1. Efficient Lighting
   Replace conventional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights, which consume less energy and last longer. Motion sensors and timers can further reduce electricity usage by ensuring lights are only used when necessary.

2. Temperature Control & HVAC Tactics
   Regular maintenance and optimization of HVAC systems can lead to significant energy savings. Smart zoning can match energy use with the ebb and flow of patrons.

3. Intelligent Energy Management
   Use energy management technology to monitor energy usage in real-time and make necessary adjustments, providing valuable data for future energy-saving decisions.

4. Renewable Energy Options
   If suitable, renewable energy sources like solar panels could offer significant long-term savings and efficiency. While the initial investment might be high, the long-term savings and potential for generating additional revenue can be substantial.

5. Building Changes and Upgrades
   Consider broader building-related factors like roofing and insulation, which can affect heating and cooling efficiency. Projects like the Dubbo Memorial RSL Club’s Skycool initiative demonstrate the potential savings from modest upgrades.

6. Professional Energy Audit
   A professional energy audit provides a comprehensive view of a club’s energy use and highlights opportunities for improvement, offering a strong foundation for future energy efficiency efforts.

Why Energy Efficiency Is More Than Just Energy Procurement

The team at Zembl offer energy procurement for many of Australia’s clubs, but they know that energy procurement alone doesn’t make the biggest impact on energy efficiency.

By choosing Zembl, you’ll get more than an energy contract—you’ll gain ongoing support to help you know more, use less, and pay less for your energy throughout your contract duration. Their services include:

• Zembl Energy Consultants – A team of local, expert people at your service.
• Energy Intelligence – AI-powered insights to maximize your efficiency opportunities.
• Energy Efficiency – Helping power your club’s transformation to today’s most efficient options.

If you’d like to know more, leave your details at the link, and a Zembl Energy Consultant will call you back.