Energy Efficiency Tips
Savings for your business
Cut business costs with smart energy habits. Here are some quick, practical steps to save power, lower bills, and run more sustainably every day.
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- Change out any traditional lightbulbs to LEDs. They consume less energy, last longer and emit less heat.
- Use natural light when possible and turn off lights when not in use.
- Make sure exterior lights are off during the day.
- Turn off idle equipment and reduce standby power by using advanced power strips. Plug computers, monitors, printers and other equipment into advanced power strips to reduce electricity drawn by devices in off or standby modes.
- Thermostat setbacks can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs. Whenever your facility is unoccupied, set temperatures 7-10° higher in summer and lower in winter.
- Ceiling fans keep air moving and can reduce heating and cooling costs. In summer, set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise, creating a downdraft. In winter, set the fan to spin clockwise to pull air up and push warm air down into the room.
- Keep windows and doors closed when HVAC is in use.
- Make sure vents are not blocked by equipment or furniture.
- Utilize blinds and drapes to block direct sunlight and excess heat.
- Don’t cool or heat rooms that are not in use. Close doors and vents where applicable.
- Train employees to understand why energy savings matter. Share basic tips like turning off lights and shutting down computers. Involve staff by spotting energy waste and reward success.
- Only use hot water when necessary. Setting the water temperature to 120° F will help reduce energy use.
- Replace or clean HVAC filters on a regular basis.
- Seal your building envelope. Use weatherstripping or door sweeps to seal gaps around doors and windows. Weatherstripping and caulk can also be used to seal small cracks or holes that can add up to heating or cooling losses.
- Perform an after-hours walk through. Check for energy waste and establish a list of shut-down procedures.
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- Install a programmable smart thermostat that can learn your heating and cooling patterns and make energy-saving adjustments automatically.
- Have your HVAC system maintained annually to maximize efficiency.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient HVAC equipment like air source heat pumps, ductless mini-splits or geothermal systems.
- Install occupancy sensors to turn lights on and off in low-traffic areas like bathrooms, meeting rooms, kitchens, storage rooms, and other areas where lights can be shut off for blocks of time. Sensors can also work with smart thermostats to control temperatures.
- Photocells in outdoor entryways and security lighting sense outdoor lighting levels to turn lighting on and off automatically.
- Replace incandescent exit signs with LED signs that last longer and use much less energy.
- Install low-flow faucets to cut down unnecessary water waste.
- When replacing appliances or equipment, look for energy efficient or ENERGY STAR® qualified options.
- Replace old vending machines with new energy efficient models. ENERGY STAR qualified vending machines use less energy than standard models.