Practical Ways Any Business Can Cut Energy Waste And Save On Electricity

How do you Save On Electricity For Your Business?

Securing a competitive electricity or natural gas rate is a smart first step in managing energy costs (as discussed in previous posts). But the savings don't stop there! The amount of energy your business consumes daily plays a massive role in your final bill. The good news is that many practical, often simple, changes can significantly reduce energy waste without impacting productivity. This post explores actionable tips for cutting consumption in four key areas: lighting, heating and cooling, office equipment, and employee engagement.

See the difference? [Left image] Dim, outdated lighting wastes energy and creates an unpleasant atmosphere. [Right image] Bright, efficient LEDs provide better illumination to save on electricity costs.

Making the Switch to Efficient Lighting

Still using old fluorescent tubes, incandescent bulbs, or halogen lamps? They could cost you more than you realize in energy waste and maintenance.

• The Problem: Outdated lighting technologies waste energy, generating heat and burning out relatively quickly.

• The Solution: Upgrade to modern LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting.

• The Benefits:

  • Principal Energy Reduction: LEDs use dramatically less energy for the same amount of light – potentially offering 50-75% savings on the lighting portion of your energy costs, according to some efficiency case studies.

  • Longevity: They last much longer than traditional bulbs, meaning far fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs.

  • Less Heat: LEDs produce very little heat, which can help reduce the load on your air conditioning system during warmer months.

• Get Started: Prioritize upgrading lights in areas where they're used most often. Consider adding simple motion sensors or timers in low-traffic areas like storage rooms, break rooms, or restrooms to ensure lights aren't left on unnecessarily.

Clean air, clean energy savings. Replacing dirty air filters is crucial for HVAC efficiency. A clean filter allows you to get better airflow, reduce energy consumption, and save on electricity.

Comfort & Control: Smarter Ways to Manage Heating and Cooling (HVAC)

Heating and cooling systems are typically among the largest energy consumers in any commercial building. Running them efficiently is key to controlling costs.

• The Problem: Running HVAC systems at full tilt when unoccupied spaces or operating poorly maintained equipment wastes enormous energy.

• Best Practices for Savings:

  • Use Programmable/Smart Thermostats: Set schedules automatically! Adjust temperatures down (heating) or up (cooling) during unoccupied hours (nights, weekends). Even a few degrees can make a big difference.

  • Prioritize Regular Maintenance: This is critical! Ensure air filters are cleaned or replaced regularly (monthly/quarterly, depending on type). Clogged filters make systems work much harder. Schedule professional tune-ups annually to keep equipment running efficiently and catch problems early. Check for leaky ductwork.

  • Seal the Envelope: Reduce how hard your HVAC has to work by improving insulation where feasible and sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and utility penetrations.

  • Consider BMS (Larger Facilities): A Building Management System can provide sophisticated, centralized control over multiple HVAC zones and schedules for more significant buildings.

• Get Started: Check your current thermostat schedules, set reminders for filter changes, and visually inspect for obvious air leaks.

Plugged-In Profits: Reducing Energy Waste from Office Equipment

Computers, monitors, printers, copiers, chargers, coffee makers... the collective energy use from "plug loads" adds up quickly, primarily when they draw power even when not actively used.

• The Problem: Many electronic devices consume power in standby mode or when left on unnecessarily overnight or on weekends (often called "phantom" or "vampire" loads).

• Simple Solutions:

  • Enable Power Management: Ensure sleep, hibernate, and monitor-off settings are enabled on all computers and monitors for periods of inactivity.

  • Shut Down Daily: Create a policy or culture of completely turning off computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and peripherals at the end of the workday, not just logging off or letting them sleep.

  • Use Smart Power Strips: These can make it easy to cut power entirely to multiple devices with one switch or even automatically based on the status of a primary device (like the computer).

  • Buy Efficient: When purchasing new equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label, indicating higher energy efficiency.

• Get Started: Adjust power settings on your computers today. Provide smart power strips for workstations. Remind staff about the shutdown policy.

Empower your team to help save on electricity. Simple habits like switching off lights and mindful resource use create a greener, more cost-effective workplace for everyone.

Team Effort: Engaging Your Employees in Saving Energy

Your employees' daily habits can significantly impact your building's energy consumption. Fostering an energy-aware culture is a powerful, low-cost strategy.

• The Opportunity: When adopted by everyone, simple behavioral changes multiply into significant energy savings.

• Engaging Your Team:

  • Raise Awareness: Share simple, relevant tips. Use internal emails, break room posters (keep visuals simple, text minimal!), or team meetings to highlight easy wins (e.g., "Turn off lights when leaving a room," "Report leaky faucets").

  • Provide Education: Briefly explain why energy-saving matters (cost savings for the business, environmental benefits).

  • Encourage Participation: Appoint volunteer "energy champions," create suggestion boxes for energy-saving ideas, or even run friendly competitions between departments.

  • Make it Visible: If possible, share updates on energy usage trends or savings achieved to show progress and motivate further action.

  • Lead by Example: Ensure management actively participates in and supports the initiatives.

• Get Started: Start with simple reminders to turn off lights and equipment. Make recycling and waste reduction easy and visible.

Efficiency Savings Add Up: Start Today!

Reducing the amount of energy your business uses is just as important as negotiating an excellent supply rate. You can achieve significant, ongoing savings on energy bills by implementing practical tips for efficient lighting, more brilliant HVAC control, better office equipment habits, and fostering employee engagement. These steps boost your bottom line and often contribute to a more comfortable and sustainable workplace.

While these tips provide a great starting point, an energy advisor can often conduct a more thorough assessment to pinpoint the most significant opportunities for efficiency gains tailored to your specific facility and operations.

Ready to cut energy waste and improve your profits? Implement these strategies and contact us for a comprehensive review of your energy usage and potential savings!