Tech companies often save on a lot of physical labor and merchandise, but they can often inherently lose a lot of money on energy costs. But how can you lower those costs without risking the efficiency and safety of your business? Running a business effectively sometimes means shaving off expenses wherever you can, and energy costs are one of those factors that are often not considered by a new business owner until too late. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to cut into your bottom line. Whether you’re an established business or just starting off, these tips can help you make the most of your money. Here are four ways companies can save on energy costs.
Getting an Audit for Your Office
Consider getting an audit for your office. You won’t really know how inefficient your energy usage is—and how best to curb it—without getting a full appraisal. Bringing in an auditor can help you determine any efficiency issues like leaks and insulation issues and also provide you with some tips on how you can improve your energy usage elsewhere. Many local utility companies will even offer free audits to businesses, so be sure to do a little research and seek out a solution that’s cost-effective for your office.
Control Light Usage
Try to control your light usage. It may not seem like a big deal, but making sure that lights aren’t on at all hours of the day can have a dramatic impact on your long term energy usage. Promoting policies that encourage staff to turn off the lights when not in use is a step in the right direction, but you can also consider investing in sensors that will turn lights on and off when someone’s actually present. Infrequently visited areas like conference and break rooms are the most likely spaces to put a drain on your energy consumption.
Investing in Energy Efficient Appliances
Changing out the refrigerator in your break room for one with a high EnergyStar rating might just have a minimal effect on your overall power consumption, but that can really add up once you start counting up costs over time and compounding the appliances you use in your business. But in many businesses, there are appliances that work overtime as well. Finding air conditioning and burner services that can emphasize energy effective solutions can make a big step towards minimizing your power usage.
Make Use of Fans
Fans are a more cost-effective solution to a traditional HVAC system—even one that’s been certified as energy-efficient—and they can even serve as a replacement in more mild climates. But even if you have an HVAC system in place, you may want to consider investing in fans for your office. While it may seem counterproductive, having a fan running in addition to your air-conditioning can improve air flow and reduce strains on your central cooling.
By implementing these tips, businesses large and small can save on energy costs and cut back on energy expenditure.
"Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan."
