Simple Ways Business Owners Can Reduce Energy Costs

“How can I save money on my energy bills?” is the question that seems to be on every business owner’s mind these days. On a typical day, commercial buildings tend to use up a lot of energy, more than many business owners would probably like to admit. If your business operates out of a commercial building, chances are you’re using a lot of energy on a daily basis. However, what many business owners don’t realize is that much of this energy goes to waste during off-hours. Leaving certain lights on when nobody is in the office and keeping electronics plugged in when they are not being used can significantly affect how much your energy bill is each month. Here are a few simple ways you can reduce your business’s energy costs in environmentally-friendly ways.

Rethink Your Lighting

Not only is fluorescent lighting bad for your eyes, but using this kind of lighting can actually lend to running up your business’s electricity bills. Switching to LED lighting is a great way for businesses to save money on their energy bills, as LED lighting is up to 80 percent more energy efficient than traditional fluorescent lighting. LED light bulbs may be slightly more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, but the payoff is exponentially greater. Being that commercial buildings tend to require a lot more lighting than a typical residential property, investing in LED lighting is worth it in the long run.

Unplug Electronics That Are Not In Use

One of the easiest ways to keep your energy costs down is to unplug any electronics that are not currently being used. Unplugging things like coffee makers, printers, and phone chargers when they are not in use can really make a difference in how expensive your business’s energy bills are. You can also unplug other office items like computers and wires that aren’t being used could also be beneficial, especially if you are going to be out of the office for several days or weeks. Also be sure to turn off any lights that are on before leaving the building at the end of the day, as leaving lights on wastes a lot of energy as well.

Keep Track of Your Utilities

Keeping track of the utilities your business is using is the key to managing your energy usage. Consider using a utility tracking software in order to monitor different aspects of your business’s energy usage, such as your budget, expenses, and invoicing. Using software designed to track all aspects of your energy usage is an easy way to make sure all of your bases are covered and can give you peace of mind that all of your expenses are accounted for.

Additional Efforts

In addition to all of these things, there are other energy-saving practices you can implement into your business’s everyday function, such as adjusting the temperature of your hot water heater and paying attention to your building’s thermostat. Programming your thermostat just a few degrees lower can save you money on your energy bills, so be sure to be mindful of the temperature of your building. By using these helpful tips, you’ll be seeing a reduction in your business’s energy costs in no time!