Ways to Save

Step 1:  Find what equipment is draining your profits.
Conduct your own Energy Audit.  You'll find out where your business is spending most of its energy and what cost-effective measures you can take to curb the usage. 

Step 2:  Talk about energy efficiency.
Tenants and landlords should work together to improve the efficiency of a space.  Tenants may have concerns about making investments in a building that is owned by someone else.  Landlords may have the same concerns with upgrading the site when a tenant is paying the utility bill.  By working as a team, owners can improve the value of their property and renters can reduce their electric costs.

Step 3:  Make small changes now.
Businesses can save thousands of dollars each year by replacing lights and installing energy-efficient equipment.

Heating & Cooling

• Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer and 68 degrees or lower in the winter.  See how the savings add up on our Thermostat Chart.

• Check and maintain heating and air conditioning equipment.

• Replace air filters regularly.

• Invest in programmable thermostats.

• Consider installing an efficient heat pump.

• Stop heating and cooling unused areas or storage rooms.

Lighting

• Use energy-efficient fluorescent lights.  They cost more to purchase, but they use only one-quarter as much energy as incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

• Install lighting timers or sensors that eliminate the cost of leaving the lights on when no one is around.

• Reduce light levels.  Don't use more light than you need.

• Keep light fixtures and bulbs clean.  Dust absorbs 50% of light.

Around the Office

• Install thermal or storm windows to reduce energy loss.

• Seal up leaks by weather-stripping doors and caulking windows.

• Check for proper insulation to increase savings.

• Upgrade refrigerators to higher-efficiency appliances.

• Close blinds during the summer months and open blinds on sunny winter days.

• Turn off computers and office equipment when they are not in use.  A single monitor uses about 100 watts.  If left on overnight and on weekends, it could cost $30 or more annually.

• Space heaters are energy hogs.  Recognize that the need for individual space heaters usually signals poor HVAC system control.

• Encourage employees to be energy-conscious.

Restaurants

Too often lights, ventilation fans, and other equipment are left on when not in use.  Develop simple energy management procedures with checklists and assign responsibility between shifts and at the end of the day for turning off cooking equipment, exhaust fans, lights, computers and office equipment.

• Keep lights clean.
• Inspect refrigerator and freezer doors for air leaks.  Replace worn gaskets and check automatic door closers and strip curtains.
• Schedule regular preventive maintenance for the HVAC.
• Change air filters and clean condenser coils.