As incidents of this crime escalate and become more frequent, energy experts at Bionic have outlined how businesses can identify signs of energy tampering and how they can look to protect themselves from energy theft.
What is energy theft?
Energy theft involves illegally tapping into an electricity or gas supply to use energy without paying. This crime is usually committed by individuals or businesses looking to reduce or completely avoid their energy bills.
How do we identify energy theft?
Businesses can identify potential energy theft by looking out for several key signs that indicate tampering or unauthorised usage, including:
- Sudden, unexplained spikes in energy costs when business usage patterns have remained the same could suggest that someone is syphoning energy. If energy consumption looks to be high outside of typical business hours, it’s likely that energy theft is occurring.
- Regular power outages, flickering lights, and unexplained equipment malfunctions could indicate tampering with the energy supply.
- Damage to or unusual marks on meters, wiring, or pipelines can be a clear sign of tampering.
Other signs of tampering that should be investigated for energy theft include broken seals or locks, out-of-place pipes, burning or gas smells near the meter box, and smoke or sparks around the meter area.
There are several ways businesses can look to safeguard against energy theft:
Ensure meters are secure
Meters should be kept securely in locked cabinets or rooms. Only giving certain people access and restricting meter access will increase security further. However, it’s important to keep meter areas clear so they can be regularly spot-checked for any signs of energy theft.
Monitor energy usage
Businesses should look to keep track of and analyse their energy usage regularly. For example, taking note of how much energy usage goes up in the winter months will provide valuable insights into seasonal patterns, helping to identify any anomalies that could signal potential energy theft.
Likewise, it’s important to investigate any unexplained drops in energy usage or unusually low bills as it could be a sign of meter tampering or unauthorised connections, where someone else is syphoning energy without being detected. Regular monitoring ensures that any irregularities are caught early, protecting the business from financial losses and safety risks.
Ensure regular audits and inspections are carried out
To safeguard against energy theft and inefficiencies, businesses should conduct regular energy audits to identify any inconsistencies between energy usage and bills. Additionally, scheduling frequent inspections of energy infrastructure, such as meters, can help businesses detect any tampering or unauthorised connections early.
Les Roberts, Energy Expert at Bionic, said:
“Unfortunately, during the Cost-of-Living Crisis, the risk of energy theft has increased as both individuals and businesses have had to resort to desperate measures to reduce energy bill burdens.
“It's vital for businesses to stay vigilant, as energy theft not only drives up operational expenses but also poses significant safety hazards that can disrupt operations and endanger lives. Regular monitoring and proactive measures can help identify suspicious activity early and hopefully ensure that businesses don’t suffer as a result of the increase in this crime.”
