Switching to clean and renewable energy is just the beginning. In addition to improved efficiency and reduction to your overall monthly energy consumption, you’re changing over to newer and in some cases better functioning technology.
There are other easy steps you can take to improve your energy efficiency, which will save you money and help reduce your environmental impact:
- Switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). It is both affordable and your business will start saving immediately. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), CFLs use 75 percent less energy, saving up to $200 for every five bulbs replaced. Lighting expenses can make up as much as 40-50 percent of the average commercial building’s energy consumption. Of course turning off the lights when not needed helps too.
- You can save a bundle by improving the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system since this can be responsible for the majority of the costs found on your utility bills. Simply turning off the heat or air-conditioning at night and the proper adjustment to a reliable programmable thermostat to regulate temperature can lead to serious cost savings. Making sure your heating and cooling units are adequately serviced and repaired by professionals helps reduce wasted energy, such as air conditioning leaks.
- Consider replacing outdated energy sapping office equipment with models that are Energy Star compliant.
- Shutting off and/or powering down computers to go to sleep automatically after 15-20 (or less) minutes of inactivity also helps. According to the EPA, this can save anywhere from $50-$150 annually per device.
- Tracking your carbon footprint even after you’ve chosen clean energy, will help you continue fine tuning your efficiency goals.
Pass on these efficiency techniques and goals to your partners and/or employees. We can help you with this type of material
Here are some great resources for additional information on cost saving, environmentally friendly energy efficiency practices.
