Overlooked Ways to Reduce Your Business's Energy Costs
As a business owner, I'm always looking for ways to reduce costs and increase profits. One area that is often overlooked is energy usage. There are many simple yet effective ways to reduce a business's energy costs that can lead to significant savings over time. Here are some of the best strategies I've discovered for cutting energy costs in my business.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce energy usage. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. It's estimated that LEDs can reduce lighting costs by as much as 80%.
I installed LED bulbs in all of my business's fixtures and lights. The upfront cost was higher, but the bulbs paid for themselves within a year through energy savings. I also take advantage of rebates and tax incentives offered by many states for upgrading to high-efficiency lighting. The brighter, clearer light from LEDs even improves the ambiance of my office.
Use Smart Power Strips
Plugging in devices seems harmless enough, but all those chargers, printers, speakers and other gadgets draw energy even when not in use. Smart power strips detect when a device is in standby mode and cuts power supply to eliminate that energy drain.
I installed several smart power strips around my business to reduce phantom load from electronics and chargers. This change cut my energy waste from standby power by as much as 10% with zero inconvenience. I simply plug devices into the smart strips instead of directly into the wall.
Install Insulation
Proper insulation helps keep warm air inside during winter and cool air inside during summer. Well-insulated buildings can use up to 20% less energy for heating and cooling. I had an energy audit done on my business which identified gaps and areas needing better insulation.
I hired insulation professionals to add insulation in the attic, seal air leaks around pipes and wiring, and install weather stripping around doors and windows. The improvements cut my business's heating and cooling costs dramatically. The job paid for itself within 2 years through energy savings.
Use Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats adapt to your usage patterns to optimize heating and cooling. I installed Nest smart thermostats at my business which track occupancy and automatically adjust the temperature when the building is unoccupied.
The thermostats have an auto-away feature that sets back the temperature when no motion is detected for a set period. This automation has reduced my HVAC energy use by around 10-15%. I control the thermostats remotely via my smartphone to make additional adjustments.
Switch to Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can minimize the need for air conditioning in summer. Fans keep air circulating which makes rooms feel cooler than they are. I installed reversible ceiling fans in my business's open areas and meeting rooms.
The gentle breeze from the fans allows me to set the thermostat several degrees higher in summer. Running the fans uses far less energy than air conditioning the spaces. I make sure to reverse the fan direction in winter so they push warm air back down into the room.
Monitor Energy Use
Simply paying closer attention to energy consumption can motivate you to make changes. I started actively monitoring my business's energy use by reading the meters regularly. Seeing the impact of changes I made encouraged me to keep finding new ways to conserve energy.
I also used apps through my utility providers to track real-time energy usage. Having visibility prompted me to alter behaviors like turning off unused electronics and lights. The apps even provide charts to compare usage over time and helpful tips for saving energy.
The time and money invested in energy efficiency measures for my business paid dividends through substantially lower utility bills. I'm able to allocate those cost savings into growing my business in other areas. With some diligence and creativity, any company can find overlooked ways like these to take control of energy costs.