Energy Efficiency

Energy Saving Tips for Your Business

Are you aware of the amount of energy your business uses each day? How about the amount of energy that is unknowingly wasted? You can lead by example and educate your employees on how to cut down on wasted energy and the costs associated with this energy usage. By practicing just a few easy, energy-saving tips, your business may be able to save on your monthly electricity and natural gas costs.

Air Conditioning

• Increase the air conditioner temperature by one degree. Believe it or not, it could mean significant savings over the long run.
• If your business is well-ventilated, open the windows and turn off the air when it’s cool outside.
• If no one is working over the weekend or during a holiday, turn the temperature up. Or better yet, turn the air conditioning off.
• Replace air filters every month. Clogged filters mean your A/C has to work hard to keep the same temperature.
• Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one already. Set the times and temperatures to match your company’s business hours.
• Bigger isn’t always better. Buy the proper-sized equipment to meet your business’ needs. An oversized A/C unit will waste energy.
• Before buying an air conditioning unit or system, find out its energy-efficiency ratio (EER). Calculate the EER by dividing the unit’s cooling capacity (BTUs/hour) by its energy requirement (watts). An EER of 10 or more is very good, while 6 or 7 is fair. Remember to buy the smallest capacity unit or system that will meet your business needs.

Heating

• Turn the furnace/thermostat down slightly. Even one degree can make a big difference.
• Encourage your employees to dress warmly when indoors and lower your thermostat by two degrees. You could save as much as four percent on your heating bill.
• Turn your heat down at night or when nobody is working in the building.
• Turn the heat off in unused rooms and close the doors to those rooms.
• Closing shop for a long weekend or vacation? Turn the heat down to save energy.
• Keep the heat inside by closing the curtains or blinds. Yes, even this can make a difference.
• Cover exposed floors with a rug or carpeting. Not only will it insulate, it will cut down on noise as well.
• Install a furnace alarm. This will tell you when to change filters.
• Just changing dirty filters on your furnace could save you five percent on your heating bill.
• Keep supply and return air vents clear of objects like furniture. This allows the furnace to operate more efficiently.
• Check doors for proper insulation. Place your hand against a door from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that’s better insulated.
• Adding a humidifier to your heating system lets you turn the thermostat down and be comfortable at lower temperatures. Aquariums and indoor plants add humidity, too.
• Did you know that heat recovery ventilators improve indoor air quality by expelling stale indoor air continuously and using its heat to preheat the incoming fresh air? Installing one of these may give your business the added savings you’re looking for.
• If your business has ceiling fans, change the direction of airflow when the temperature drops. For those cold, winter months, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room. In the summer, the blades should operate in a counter-clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice, gentle wind.

Hot Water

• Check your hot water temperature: 140° is sufficient for washing dishes and laundry.
• Insulate your water heater and its pipes. The water will stay hotter longer. Keep the insulation 18” from the top of the water heater.
• If your business has a kitchen, encourage employees and cleaning staff to avoid washing dishes in running water. Fill the sink halfway, scrub away, and then rinse all at once.
• Repair dripping water taps immediately.

Refrigerator and Freezer

• Defrost your company’s fridge regularly. When ice builds up, a freezer uses more electricity. If it frosts up again quickly, check that the door seals are strong and intact.
• Keep the fridge at least three quarters full for maximum efficiency.

Lighting

• Use energy-saving light bulbs that can last up to 10 times longer than a normal bulb and use significantly less energy. A single 20- to 25-watt energy-saving bulb provides as much light as a conventional 100-watt bulb.
• Install motion- sensors on external lights.
• Use only one bulb for light fittings with more than one light bulb or replace additional bulbs with a lower wattage version.

Insulation and Windows

• Install covers on mailboxes and/or keyholes to reduce indoor drafts.
• If your building was built after 1940, you probably have cavity walls. Have them filled with insulation, which could help you save money every year.
• If your building has an attic, you can help eliminate the risk of ice damming and dangerous icicles by using the correct insulation. And, while you’re at it, insulate your attic door or hatch at the same time.
• To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure its thickness. If there is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or 6 inches of cellulose), look into adding more. And while you’re up there, consider installing some roof vents and inlets to improve ventilation.
• For an instant low-cost and temporary alternative to glazed windows, attach cling film to your window frame and set it in place with a hair dryer.