Saving money on electricity costs is important for any business, but safety should never be compromised. There are many ways to reduce your business's energy consumption and expenses while maintaining a safe workspace.
Conduct an Energy Audit
The first step is performing an energy audit to identify areas for potential savings.
Examine Your Electricity Usage
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Review electricity bills and analyze expenses over time to spot trends.
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Examine the kilowatt hours (kWh) used each month.
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Identify seasons or times of high electric usage.
This provides insight on where you can reduce consumption.
Inspect Equipment and Facilities
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Conduct walkthroughs to inventory all electric devices.
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Note age, efficiency ratings, and usage habits.
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Check for phantom loads from equipment drawing electricity even when turned off.
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Assess lighting types, controls, and placement.
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Look for air leaks, inadequate insulation, or other building inefficiencies.
Pinpoint equipment upgrades or behavioral changes to reduce waste.
Switch to LED Lighting
Transition from inefficient lighting to LED bulbs which use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
LEDs Offer Many Benefits
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Greater efficiency - More light output per watt compared to other bulbs.
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Long lifespan - LEDs can last over 25,000 hours with minimal brightness reduction over time.
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Directional lighting - LEDs focus light in targeted directions unlike omnidirectional bulbs.
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Durability - LEDs contain no filaments or glass components prone to breakage.
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Cool operation - LEDs give off minimal heat, reducing HVAC costs.
Upgrade Fixtures Gradually
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Prioritize the most used fixtures first.
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Check lumens ratings when replacing bulbs for equal brightness.
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For overhead lights, install occupancy sensors to automatically turn off when not in use.
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Use dimmers and smart lighting controls to further optimize usage.
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Add task lighting like desk lamps to avoid brightly illuminating entire areas.
Improve HVAC Efficiency
Heating and cooling accounts for a major portion of a business's energy costs. Optimizing HVAC equipment curbs usage while maintaining safe temperatures.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
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Replace air filters monthly to allow proper airflow.
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Have a technician annually service the HVAC system to keep it operating efficiently.
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Check that exhaust fans are properly ventilating and not drawing in outside air.
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Ensure ductwork is tightly sealed without leaks.
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Clean coils and inspect refrigerant levels.
Adjust Thermostat Setpoints
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Keep thermostats at the highest bearable temperature in warm months and lowest comfortable temperature during winter.
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Install programmable thermostats to lower settings when the building is unoccupied.
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Adjust ventilation cycles so HVAC runs less frequently for shorter periods.
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Block direct sunlight through windows and use shades to reduce heat gain.
Consider a Smart HVAC System
Newer smart systems optimize temperature, airflow, and settings for greater efficiency.
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Smart sensors detect occupancy and modify zones accordingly.
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The system learns usage patterns and makes automatic adjustments.
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You can monitor real-time performance and control settings remotely.
Switch Off Idle Equipment
Ensure equipment like office equipment, machinery, and appliances is completely powered down when not in active use.
Establish Shut Down Policies
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Turn off computers, printers, copiers, and other office electronics each night.
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Post reminder signs for staff to shut down equipment when not in use.
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Connect appliances like water coolers and vending machines to power strips that can be turned off.
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Unplug phone chargers, fans, and other devices when not needed.
Install Smart Power Strips
These sense when main equipment is off and automatically cut power to peripheral devices.
Use Timers and Sensors
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Set timers on equipment like coffee brewers to shut off during down times.
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Install occupancy sensors on printers and other shared machines.
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Use vending misers on machines to power down with inactivity.
Monitor Energy Usage
Tracking your electric consumption and costs is key for assessing savings from new measures.
Utilize an Energy Management System
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This specialized software connects to smart meters and building systems.
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It provides real-time analytics on electric usage and trends.
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The data helps pinpoint remaining waste and opportunities.
Compare Bills and Meter Readings
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Read electricity meters weekly or monthly to benchmark usage.
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Compare meter readings to bills to confirm billing accuracy.
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Review charges to detect rate hikes or faulty equipment drawing excess power.
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Calculate savings from reduced kilowatt hour consumption after upgrades.
Perform Regular Inspections
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Walk through facilities noting lights, machines, and systems still operating during closed hours.
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Ensure new processes like equipment shut downs are being followed consistently.
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Identify additional areas for potential energy reductions.
Saving electricity lowers overhead costs while protecting worker safety when done properly. Conduct audits to identify savings opportunities, upgrade inefficient equipment, power down idle devices, and monitor usage regularly. With persistence and vigilance, your business can significantly cut electric expenses.