A business guide to energy savings | These days, every penny counts. And with rising energy prices, those pennies aren't stretching as far as they once dd. So it makes sense for a business to reduce that monthly energy bill as much as possible. Here's a l
Lighting
Swap those lightbulbs. If you’re still using fluorescent lighting, more efficient lighting fixtures could save your business 20%-30% on lighting electricity costs, according to David Kyle, business program manager at Efficiency Maine, a Maine Public Utilities Commission organization that promotes energy efficiency.
Control your lighting. Look to install motion sensors in places where occupancy is intermittent, such as bathrooms, storage rooms, conference rooms and hallways. Also, use sensors on outside lights.
Use only what you need. Use lower levels of general lighting and more task lighting to directly illuminate work areas and reduce computer screen glare.
Seize the daylight. Turn off or dim lights when daylight is available, or use automatic dimming controls. Use high-reflectance ceiling tiles and light colors on walls, partitions, and carpeting to carry daylight into interior space.
Consider new exit signs. Replace incandescent and fluorescent exit signs with light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the latest solid-state technology. LED exit signs use about 1/10th the energy of an incandescent bulb and will pay for themselves in three months, Kyle says.
Don’t forget to dust. Regularly cleaning light bulbs, fixtures, lamps and reflective surfaces can increase the output of your lights.
HVAC systems
Service your HVAC unit. Without regular maintenance — Kyle recommends once or twice a year — the performance of HVAC systems will suffer.
Install programmable thermostats. That way, you don’t have to remember to manually adjust the temperature when a room isn’t occupied.
Keep out the cold. Make sure to install weatherstripping around doors and windows, and check for adequate insulation, especially in roofs and ceilings.
Use sun and shade. Use sunlight to warm interior spaces during the cooler months, but close the window blinds to shade your rooms from direct sunlight during the warmer months.
Use “free cooling.” Install an economizer, which will use outdoor air for cooling when the outdoor temperature is lower than indoors. And don’t forget to service them — Kyle says most HVAC units come equipped with an economizer, but that 85% of them don’t function properly.
Install ceiling fans. Fans make the temperature feel at least four degrees cooler during the summer.
Office equipment
Shop for the right equipment. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing or leasing office equipment, including computers, copiers and fax machines.
Set computers to energy-saving mode. “Your computer should shut off when you’re in the bathroom,” Kyle says. If you don’t know how to set this up, ask your IT department.
Turn off office equipment. At the end of the day, shut it all down. Use a power strip or just good communication by designating one person to make sure all office equipment is off. “That simple low-tech measure is enough to save a ton of energy when workers are not at their desk,” Kyle says.
Network your machines. As the office grows, you can make better use of existing copiers and printers without purchasing more machines.
Do you really need that? Consider having employees use laptop computers, which use up to 90% less energy than a desktop computer. Also, consider ink-jet printers, which use 90% less energy than laser printers.
Other tips
Hot water. If hot water is needed just for general use, like hand washing, reduce the temperature to 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit. If a higher temperature is needed for a specific piece of equipment, consider a booster heater.
Shop for the right motor. Manufacturing firms rely heavily on motors, and should look for new and replacement motors labeled “NEMA Premium” by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Because motors have such long operating hours, even a 1% improvement in efficiency will pay for itself, Kyle says.
Check and maintain motors regularly. Check belts and pulleys frequently and tighten as needed. Lubricate motors regularly and replace bearings when worn.
In the kitchen, go efficient. It’s important for businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores to purchase efficient refrigeration equipment. Refrigeration options like hot gas defrost and evaporative condensers can yield returns of as much as 50%.
Seal it tight. Check gaskets and closing mechanisms on refrigerator doors frequently. Close a dollar bill in the refrigerator door, and then pull. If it comes out easily, check for worn gaskets or out-of-adjustment closing mechanisms.
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