It’s estimated that American small businesses collectively spend more than $60 billion on energy costs yearly. While electricity costs vary based on the size of the business, the market they’re operating in, and the day-to-day function of each facility, it’s further estimated that the average commercial property spends about $6,500 per month on energy costs.
Keep in mind that energy costs go toward a business’ overhead. Such costs qualify as expenditures and count against the revenue a business makes to form its bottom line. That said, any opportunity to decrease overhead costs will make a small business stronger and more profitable. Conserving electricity costs present an ideal opportunity for a small business to save money and reduce its carbon footprint.
In this post, we’ll discuss some electricity savings tips for small businesses. Read on to learn more.
Know What’s Always On
Do you know what’s always “on” when it comes to your business? Chances are that even when your firm’s doors have closed for the day (or for the weekend), there are still appliances that are consuming power. It’s estimated that appliances on standby power can account for up to 10 percent of a firm’s electricity bill. Here are a few tips for reducing the energy draw of appliances when they’re not in use:
Limiting Excess Light Use
Pay attention to your firm’s lighting. If you haven’t made the switch from incandescent to more energy-efficient LED bulbs, do it now. You should also consider installing light sensors so that lights are only on throughout the property when certain spaces are occupied.
Additionally, open up the window blinds and take advantage of natural sunlight when you can. In addition to conserving electricity, studies show that natural daylight is a workplace mood and productivity booster – so there are potentially even greater benefits than just conserving electrical use.
Powering Down Computers at the End of the Day
As we said earlier in this post, appliances on standby power can account for up to 10 percent of a facility’s energy bill. Noting this, power down and unplug appliances like computers, printers, copiers, and more at the end of the workday to save electricity on what’s not being used.
Optimizing HVAC Efficiency
HVAC energy consumption may account for up to 50 percent of a building’s energy costs, but the good news is that there are many ways to curb costs. Here’s a look at some tips to optimize HVAC efficiency:
Check for Air Leaks
Air leaks in ventilation and around doors and windows are just going to cause the HVAC system to work harder for longer to heat or cool your business. Apply caulk or weather stripping around doors and windows and seal any gaps or holes in the ventilation or ductwork.
Program Thermostats
You don’t need to cool or heat a property to the same temperature when people aren’t in the building as you do when they are in the building. If you don’t already have one, consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures during off-business hours.
Clean Filters, Vents, and Coils
Finally, don’t forget about routine HVAC maintenance. Clean and change air filters according to manufacturer recommendations. Regularly cleaning vents and coils can also help your system work more effectively and efficiently.
Refrigerator Maintenance
Don’t overlook any refrigerators on your property when it comes to identifying energy savings. There are three main things you should do to ensure your refrigerators are working effectively and efficiently:
- Clean the coils on evaporators and condensing units.
- Check seals and replace them if necessary.
- Repair any leaks.
Other Energy Savings Tips
There are a variety of other savings tips small businesses can administer that can help add up to a more efficient running office over the long term – even if they’re not directly tied to electrical usage and power consumption. Here’s a look:
Water Conservation
- Check for toilet leaks: Even a minor toilet leak can waste thousands of gallons of water per month.
- Turn down the water heater: This can prevent scalding water and the potential for injury and also reduce how frequently the water heater operates.
- Install low-flow faucets: It’s estimated the average faucet runs more than 2 gallons per minute. Low-flow faucets – or faucet aerators – can reduce the flow to around 1.5 gallons per minute, conserving water.
Getting an Energy Audit
If you really want to take your firm’s energy efficiency to new heights, consider getting an energy audit done. An energy audit is designed to analyze and assess your building’s current energy usage and then identify ways to improve its footprint. This analysis may consist of both short-term and long-term initiatives a firm can implement.
Short-term initiatives may involve weatherproofing around doors and windows, installing programmable thermostats, and switching to energy-efficient LED lighting. Long-term initiatives may involve recommendations for improving insulation, installing Energy Star appliances, and installing energy-efficient landscaping.
An energy audit may also be done in conjunction with a utility bill audit. These audits analyze how the facility is being billed, attempt to reclaim costs associated with any billing irregularities, and also consist of auditors negotiating with utility companies to secure better overall rates.
Contact Green Line Rates Today
When it comes to conserving energy, it’s typically not one big thing that does the trick, but many small adjustments that all add up to commercial electricity savings over time. Green Line Rates specializes in performing energy audits and helping your business identify ways to save money on energy costs, increase profits, and reduce its carbon footprint. Contact us today for more information and to get started.