If you could wave a magic wand and reduce your commercial energy bills by 61 percent, would you do it?
Chances are, that’s an opportunity you’d jump on! And why not? If your business is like most, we’re talking hundreds if not thousands of dollars per month you could use to improve operations, invest in growth, or take as profit.
Well, consider this: the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory estimates that 61 percent of the energy consumed by businesses and households in the U.S. is wasted: lost to leaks, careless behavior and inefficient appliances. In fact, the U.S. wastes more energy than any other country in the world. Shameful!
But before you allow those pangs of guilt to steal through your gut, let’s look at this situation another way. If you are really wasting that much energy (or even half that much), what a wonderful opportunity to tighten your bottom line! Here are a few simple things to keep in mind that will help your company’s energy conservation efforts:
How To Save Energy in Your Business: 5 Easy Principles
• Fix your leaks. Energy leaks of any kind will bleed away your bank account for absolutely no return. Plugging them is your first line of defense against energy waste. Use caulk, weatherstripping and spray foam to seal your building against unwanted air infiltration. Seal your ducts to improve furnace efficiency. Don’t forget to check your indoor and outdoor plumbing for leaky pipes and fixtures, too.
• Automate. You can save a lot of energy by simply making sure it is only used when you need it. The easiest way to do this is to use timers and other automation devices. Programmable thermostats are a great example. Use them to set your building temperature back at night and on weekends when no one is there. You will never know the difference until you get your utility bill! Putting motion sensors on lights helps, too, especially in little-used areas where a forgotten light can burn for days.
• Maintain your equipment properly. Poorly maintained equipment will not operate at peak efficiency. It is also likely to break down when you can least afford it to. Invest in seasonal tune-ups for your HVAC system, and be sure to replace filters and parts according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It will save you both time and money in the long run.
• Invest in more efficient equipment. Replacing an outdated boiler or freezer might seem like a waste if it is still running fine, but you may find that newer equipment pays for itself quickly — and after that you’re running on savings. The same goes for light bulbs. LED bulbs can pay for themselves in as little as 18 months — and they can last up to 25 years before needing replacement.
• Use free energy when possible. Depending on your site, you may actually be able to tap into energy sources that are absolutely free! Daylighting is a good example. Try switching your lights off during the day. You may find that your windows admit plenty of light to work by. If not, consider adding some inexpensive skylights or light tubes. Solar power is another way to tap into the free energy of the sun. While it is an upfront investment, solar panels can dramatically improve your business energy efficiency, saving you significant funds over time.
It’s no trick to save energy, but the rewards are real.
It may not be quite as easy as waving a wand, but unlike our little fantasy above, the benefits you can reap by improving your business energy efficiency are no magic trick. They are 100 percent real. Energy conservation at work not only saves your business money, it can improve comfort levels at work, raise employee morale, and give your customers another reason to love and respect your company. It’s the right choice for the planet, too.
Ready to start getting serious about saving energy in your business? Call [company_phone] or contact us online for a free solar evaluation of your commercial property!
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