Are you looking to make your business more energy-efficient, but aren’t quite sure how to do it?
Making your business more energy-efficient isn’t just beneficial for the environment, it can also benefit your finances. In fact, according to Energy Star, small businesses that strategically invest in energy savings can cut down utility costs by 10 to 30 percent without sacrificing comfort, style, or service.
But, how do you make your business more energy-efficient?
Check out this guide to learn about the top energy efficiency tips for businesses.
- Lighting Tips
Focusing on making more efficient lighting decisions can seriously help you cut down your energy bill. Here are some energy-efficient lighting tips:
- Turn the lights off when not using them
- Invest in LED light fixtures
- Make use of the sun to reduce the amount of time you have artificial lights on
- Consider investing in motion-sensor lights so you don’t have to remember to turn them off
- Look for Energy Star-certified lighting products
- Consider painting your walls a lighter color to bring in more light
- Clean skylights and windows on a regular basis to let more natural light in
Also, when purchasing lightbulbs, make sure you check the lumens. Higher lumens means more light.
- Heating and Cooling Tips
Your HVAC system can also cause you to rack up a higher energy bill. Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to decrease your heating and cooling bills and save energy. Here are some tips:
- Install shutters, drapes, and window film to prevent unwanted heat gain and loss
- Repair old steam traps and valves
- Get regular HVAC system tune-ups
- Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking the vents and registers
- Use ceiling fans to keep air circulating
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Install locking devices on your thermostat so employees can’t change the settings
- Inspect and repair cracked or worn caulking as well as weather strips on windows, doors, and any other areas where leakage may occur
- Install your air conditioning unit in a shady area
Also, when it comes time to replace your HVAC system, choose a system with an Energy Star rating.
- Other Tips
In addition to the above tips, here are some things you can keep in mind to make your workplace more energy-efficient:
- Use hot water only when necessary
- Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit if building codes allow it
- Turn off or unplug office equipment at night
- Switch to inkjet printers, as they use 90% less energy than laser printers
- Place your vending machines in cool areas
- Manually turn off computer monitors when not using them
- When buying new computers, opt for laptops over desktops
- Unplug chargers when batteries are fully charged
- Install water-saving faucets
You should also make sure your employees are in the loop on how to keep the building energy-efficient and that they’re putting these tips into practice.
Are You Ready to Put These Energy-Efficient Tips to Use?
Now that you’ve read through these energy-efficient tips, it’s time to put them to use. Before you know it, your energy bill will be cut in half thanks to these tips.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on saving your business money.
