Energy-Saving Ideas for Businesses

You can save money by improving energy efficiency.

Saving energy in business isn't just a good idea, it is becoming imperative. As business costs increase and competition from overseas intensifies each year, controlling energy costs deserves the focus of every business.

Organize an Energy Committee

Appoint an energy manager along with one or more representatives from your business to educate others about the importance of energy management. The manager's responsibilities include developing procedures to reduce energy used by the company, monitoring energy use, and maintaining and improving relationships with energy utilities companies, says the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Perform an Energy Audit

Find out the name of a company that specializes in performing energy audits and have the energy efficiency of your company evaluated. Check with your local utility for recommendations.

Lighting

Retrofit your lighting with more energy-efficient bulbs, says Northeastern California Small Business Development Center at San Joaquin Delta College. Replace incandescent bulbs with lower energy fluorescent bulbs. Put outside lighting on a timer that cycles on an off during days and nights. Also use natural daylight to light an area where practical, says the U.S. Department of Energy.

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

According to the American Association of Chemical Engineers, consider using more energy-efficient motors and improving the efficiency of compressed-air systems. Refer to the Energy Star Program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy for energy-saving ideas. (See Resources.)

Lower temperatures in the winter and raise them higher in the summer. To lessen the effect of the sun's heat on rooftops, consider installing a natural garden.

Install occupancy sensors that reduce the amount of energy consumed when it senses people are not in an office area, recommends The Federal Energy Management Program.

Office Equipment

Shut down office equipment at the end of the business day, recommends the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center. If there is equipment, such as copiers, that automatically switch to energy-saving mode when not used, make sure these features are fully enabled.

Replace desktop computers with more energy-efficient "thin client" terminals, which are low-end computer terminals that concentrate solely on providing a graphical user interface.

Insulation

Install more energy-efficient insulation. New Jersey Natural Gas recommends you inspect your facility for cracked insulation. Inspect roof insulation for leakage and repair inefficient areas. Check walls to make sure they are efficiently insulated.

References

• Sempra Energy Utility: 10 Easy Energy Savings Tips
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers: Cut Energy Use Through HVAC Improvements
• Northeastern California Small Business Development Center at San Joaquin Delta College Saving Energy is Good Business
• New Jersey Natural Gas: Energy Saving Tips for Business
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Energy Conservation Manager
• U.S. Department of Energy-Federal Energy Management Program: Office Energy Checklist

Resources

• Save Energy Now Website
• Energy Star