Every office building has some amount of utility waste. The good news is that there is room to improve and begin saving money on your business utility expenses. In an office environment, even small changes, such as making sure to switch off the copiers every evening before leaving, can quickly add up to substantial savings. Saving energy in the office doesn’t have to be a monumental undertaking. Here are five easy ways to reduce your business utility expenses.
Maintenance is Key
A well-maintained office is the foundation for your energy saving efforts. Regularly check air vents to make sure that nothing is blocking air flow. Regularly change any heating or cooling filters to keep air quality optimal for equipment to run smoothly. Perform regularly scheduled maintenance on heating and cooling systems. Arrange for annual maintenance of any equipment that is eligible.
Make It Automated
A programmable thermostat can offer considerable savings in an office setting. Programming the thermostat to automatically lower the temperature during summer, or raise the temperature during winter, by several degrees when it’s unoccupied is a simple way to save money on heating and cooling costs. Having the automated temperature changes in place ensures that the temperature will be set without someone having to remember to change the thermostat each morning and evening.
Another way to use automation to reduce utility expenses is to program all computer monitors to shut off if they’ve been sitting idle for a certain amount of time. When put in place office-wide, this has the potential to add up to a lot of savings.
Use What You’ve Got
If your office building has blinds, natural light, or skylights, it’s also got a built-in way to help save money on utilities. Cooling costs can by cut by closing blinds in the summer. Natural light coming in through blinds can allow employees to work without the aid of a lamp or light, saving on electricity costs. Make use of skylights instead of electric lights where possible.
Using what you’ve got includes those working in the office. Every employee contributes to the use of the building’s energy. Encourage all employees to use electronics, appliances, lights, and other potential energy-wasters in a way that will help conserve energy and save money. In addition, if possible, schedule your building’s janitorial services during office hours so utilities will not have to be consumed after office hours.
Turn It Off
Sometimes, it’s the little things that can end up having the most impact on your bottom line. Simply turning off lights that aren’t in use can reduce energy costs by 10 to 40%. Turn off copiers, printers, and other machines and appliances when not in use, including overnight. Just one copier running all day and night can cost over $150 each year.
Compare Rates
In many areas, deregulated electricity markets have resulted in retail energy companies competing with each other to gain and keep your business. Thus, commercial electricity rates can vary by carrier. Take the time to compare the pricing offered by the carriers in your area. You may find that you can lock in a lower rate and shave some money off of your office’s utility bill.
This article was contributed on behalf of Amigo Energy, your number one choice when looking for Electric Companies in Houston. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!
