There are several ways you can conserve electricity in your commercial space, and most of these methods require small changes that you and your team can start using today. Here are some of the best ways to reduce energy costs for your business so you can keep your finances on track while doing your part to better the environment.
Get an Energy Audit
An energy audit will help you determine how much energy you’re using and give you an outline for energy-saving methods. Your local electric/utility company may offer you an audit free of charge. A professional will come to your company and perform a thorough inspection of your property to check for insulation issues, air leaks, and places where you can install “green” lighting. Make sure that you contact your utility company and not your energy supplier for the audit to make sure the results are accurate.
Buy Energy-Efficient Office Equipment
Before you lease or buy the equipment for your office, make sure that the items are rated by EnergyStar. These appliances have been evaluated to work at their best without using excessive energy and will save you money in the long run. You may also want to look into having a magnetic bearing chiller installed. This device is ideal for rotary equipment if you have a factory, and the chillers have low power consumption to save you money.
Program the Thermostats
If you work in a 9-5 office space, you can save energy by programming the thermostat. You won’t need to cool or heat the workspace after everyone is gone for the evening. Even if your team works on different shifts, programming your thermostat will keep the unit from going off during “off” hours. Check with the manufacturer to see which settings are best for your unit.
Turn Off the Lights
When you’re not using the lights in a room or area, make sure the lights are off. This seems like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how many times people leave the lights on in the bathrooms, conference room, or breakroom throughout the day. Using sensor lights can be beneficial for your office since they turn on when someone enters the room and stays off when no one is using the space.
Use “Green” Lightbulbs
This is one of the simplest ways to conserve energy in your office. Switch your incandescent light bulbs out for energy-efficient bulbs like LED or CFL. These bulbs don’t use as much electricity, and you’ll likely see the difference in your monthly bills.
Use Natural Sunlight
As much as possible, use natural sunlight in your office. If you have lots of windows, take advantage of them! Avoid turning on all the lights in the office if there’s enough natural light to adequately light the workspace. Your bill will be lower, and you may notice that your team members are in a better mood after being exposed to sunlight during the day.
Turn On the Fans
You can reduce energy use in your commercial space by running fans in your warehouses, offices, and kitchens. Fans will allow air to flow through these spaces so your HVAC unit will run more efficiently.
Turn Off the Computers
At the end of the workday, power down all the office equipment, including the computers. Unplugging as many devices as you can once the day is over can cut back on energy use and even prolong the life of these appliances. You can also unplug appliances like the coffee machine or water dispenser when they are not in use.
Stop “Phantom” Energy
Phantom energy is power from devices that are plugged up but not in use. Take a look and see if your computer accessories such as printers or monitors are plugged into a power strip. If so, turn it off and unplug the devices if not in use. This keeps appliances from using up energy that no one is utilizing.
These practical tips can save you a considerable amount on electrical bills. You can even make your office space more comfortable temperature-wise. See a spike in productivity for your company by implementing these suggestions.
Author bio: Maggie Bloom graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in communication and writing. In her spare time, she loves to dance, read, and bake. She also enjoys traveling and scouting out new brunch locations. If you are into video editing and you are looking into how to remove audio from video, Maggie recommends Invideo.
