Prudence in business demands that you cut costs any way reasonably possible. Making your business energy-efficient will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. It will also be beneficial for the environment, as businesses have been blamed for leading global warming. It is a win-win outcome for everyone. Here are some tips for cutting your business’s energy costs:
Upgrade Office Appliances
Every electrical appliance in the office consumes energy – some more than others. Most modern machines are designed in compliance with energy efficiency regulations. In contrast, older appliances have been shown to consume substantially more energy than a modern one. As such, consider upgrading your office appliances.
The goal is energy efficiency, so go for appliances certified by the ENERGY STAR – this is proof that the device is energy-efficient. It is also advisable to upgrade to better versions of your office appliances – for example, consider upgrading to powerful modern computers for a robust IT system. This will save you money and help boost productivity in the workplace as better appliances will boost employees’ morale.
Experts recommend starting with the most significant appliances. As such, start with the air conditioner, and then move on to the refrigerator, printers, and other old/inefficient machines.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Bulbs
The subject of energy-efficient bulbs has garnered worldwide attention over the recent past. It has featured in the increasingly dramatic U.S. politics and featured in many environmental conservation conventions.
However, whatever the nature of the conversation, the whole world agrees that energy-inefficient bulbs should be phased out and replaced with efficient ones. It also happens to be the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to reduce energy consumption at the workplace. It is also worth noting that energy-efficient bulbs produce a better quality of light compared to older bulbs.
Switch to Programmable Thermostats
As mentioned, your HVAC systems one of the appliances that consume the most energy at the workplace. So, if you decide to upgrade, choose one that is compatible with programmable thermostats.
A programmable thermostat can measure temperatures in the workplace and adjust itself to conserve energy. Some programmable thermostats also know when no one is around and reduce heating and cooling to the minimum. The ideal programmable thermostat can reduce your HVAC system’s energy consumption by as much as 10%.
Leverage Natural Heating & Cooling
Everyone knows that the sun is the largest unlimited source of energy, but it is also one of the most underutilized sources of energy. There are several ways to leverage the sun’s free energy.
You can use the sun’s natural daylight to light your office during the daytime to cut costs on lighting. You can also use the sun to heat the office to ease the strain on your office’s HVAC system. All you have to do is pull up the blinds to let in the sun rays.
You can also modify and upgrade your ventilators to let in fresh, cold air from outside during the summer. It would also help if you complimented this with a strategic office/setting arrangement to facilitate the free flow of air. This, too, would ease the strain on your HVAC system.
You can also update the forge coating for your heating to help reduce the cost of heating your office in the winter.
P.S. Keep electronic appliances beyond the direct reach of sunlight – exposure to the sun will make them overheat, which will reduce their energy efficiency. You should also consider forge coating for appliances that consume high energy and tend to overheat. This low-cost energy-saving technique is ideal for forges, kilns, ovens, furnaces, and a broad range of metal equipment.
Reduce Energy Consumption during Peak Hours
Energy rates change depending on several factors, including peak demand hours. This means that energy rates are higher during energy pick hours, which is mostly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. when most businesses are operational. Consider shifting nigh-energy-consuming activities during the evening and early morning hours outside the peak demand period.
It is the Way of the Future
Soon, the world will have no option but to make energy production and usage efficient, and businesses will be at the forefront of this evolution. As such, taking these and other measures to reduce energy consumption today will save you a lot of work. It will also save you thousands of energy bills in the long run.
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction.
