Energy Savings Tips for Your Business

Check out these no cost solutions that can help your business become more cost-effective by saving on energy costs.

HVAC
• Check your HVAC manual for easy maintenance you can perform yourself for free. You could save as much as 5% on energy costs with regular check ups.
• Use your HVAC economizers and take advantage of free cool outside air. During winter, make sure your economizer is working properly, an economizer that has stuck open can dramatically increase heating costs.
• In the summer, keep the shades closed to block the hot afternoon sunlight. You won't have to use as much air conditioning. During winter, open shades on the South exposure, during the day, to let the warmth of the sun in. Close shades during the night to keep heat in.
• Fans are a great way to create your own wind chill. Ceiling fans work particularly well in areas with high ceilings. Ceiling fans work equally well in the winter to circulate warm air from the ceiling back down to the occupied space.
• Keep all registers or vents clear of drapes, desks, plants, or boxes. This will keep the conditioned air moving freely.
• Set thermostat at 76°F in summer and 68°F in winter. Set back temperatures to 85°F in summer and 60°F in winter, during unoccupied hours.
Turn it off!
• Turn off unnecessary lights to save electricity and cut down on the heat lights produce.
• Turn off or lower cooking equipment during slower hours.
• You can consolidate many perishable items into fewer cooling units - then unplug the extra refrigerator or freezers!
• Turn off machines that you don't run very often. You may have to wait an extra minute for it to warm up when you do use it, but the savings sure help.
• Turn off computers, printers and fax machines every night before leaving.
Keep things clean
• Clean the dust and dirt off of light fixtures. Periodic cleaning of dusty bulbs and fixtures can save up to $1 in lost illumination per four-lamp fixture per month.
• Clean the dust off of refrigerator coils by vacuuming underneath and in back.
• Clean your air conditioner filters. Window units have filters that should be cleaned with soap and water and air dried monthly while in use.
• Clean grease and food particles from exhaust hoods. Clean filters regularly. Grease build-up can increase ventilation energy costs and the potential for fires.
Building Maintenance
• As part of your regular maintenance schedule, be sure to check your facility's caulking and weather-stripping. These simple, cost-effective projects can actually save a substantial amount on your heating and cooling bills without requiring outside help.